Public to get say on first new inner-Brisbane school in 60 years

Overcrowded existing schools and traffic troubles are key factors in deciding where the first inner-city primary school since 1960 will be built. SEE THE CONTENDING SUBURBS

Public consultation will begin in January on the site of the first inner-Brisbane state primary school to be built in six decades.

The last time a State Government opened a primary school in the inner suburbs was in 1960 when Seven Hills State School in Morningside was completed.

Education Minister Grace Grace did not speculate on a site, but during the election Chapel Hill and Indooroopilly were mooted as options.

Ironside State School in Indooroopilly is already so crowded students have to take lunch breaks in shifts to minimise playground injuries.

Consultation will initially be online with some details available in the new year.

But face-to-face information session will run later in the year and consultation will continue throughout 2021.

The Government set aside $65 million in the recent State Budget.

It did not reveal how much of that would be needed to buy the land if no government-owned property was available, but there are few suitable sites and property prices in the inner-west are sky high.

Any potential land acquisition, if required, would be funded through the Building Future Schools Fund.

“We want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible so this new school can be ready for day one in 2023,” Ms Grace said.

“An initial consultation, including both online and in-person sessions, will take part in the first half of the year.

“The primary focus during this time will be the potential future location of the school.

“Future consultation phases may include opportunities to provide feedback on elements such as the planning, school design, proposed catchment, relationship to existing schools and the school name.

“The community will also have the opportunity to meet with the school principal, following their appointment, to develop the school’s vision.”

Greens MP for the local state seat of Maiwar, Michael Berkman, said he was “thrilled’’.

“Today’s announcement is a huge win for the west side after a long campaign and years of overcrowded schools,’’ Mr Berkman said.

OTHER RECENT WESTSIDE STORIES

Westside’s winners: how your area fared in the State Budget

Concerns over Ballymore’s latest upgrade plans

Roar/Bulls stars get behind Valley cricket club disabilities program

“I’ll be asking further questions in Parliamentary Estimates today (December 9) to make sure that separate funding beyond the $65 million commitment is available to purchase land for the new school if required.

“My focus now is making sure the Department of Education runs meaningful and detailed consultation that goes beyond box-ticking.

“It’s really important we get this right, so I will be listening to the community before making my formal submission to the State Government.

“Two things are clear from my conversations with locals so far: that the Government should consult the community on any suitable land in Taringa first to tackle the overcrowding and morning traffic at Ironside, Toowong and Indro SS; and that the school should be P-12 if possible.’’

Mr Berkman said he was also pleased Ms Grace had today confirmed funding to increase Outside School Hours Care places for local families.

State LNP MP for Moggill, Christian Rowan, also said it was “vitally important’’ residents in his electorate were properly engaged and consulted.

“Critically, the construction of this new primary school means that additional state high school capacity must be planned for immediately,’’ Dr Rowan said.

“The Labor Government has failed to provide additional funding for vital classroom, school hall and library infrastructure upgrades at Kenmore State High School in this year’s Budget.

“I again also call on the Labor Government to build a new high school that can serve the families and residents of the suburbs of Moggill, Bellbowrie, Anstead, Mount Crosby, Karana Downs, and Lake Manchester, as well as other surrounding suburbs.”