Website down during school consultation period

A Government website was down for days during the consultation period for the Smart State Academy expansion.

Expansion plans at the Queensland Academy of Maths, Science and Technology, which is moving from senior years to Years 7-12, have caused concern. FILE PHOTO

A STATE Government web portal was down, possibly for a week, during the public consultation period for the Toowong “Smart State’’ Academy expansion.

The Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology is being expanded from senior years only to Years 7-12.

As part of the expansion, about 60 trees along Toowong Creek will be felled, including a native tree estimated at up to 300 years old.

The native tree, estimated to be at least 300 years old, which is earmarked for the axe.

A parliamentary petition to save the tree, which attracted 3500 signatures, was tabled on November 15, the day the plan was approved.

Opponents of the project say earthworks has resulted in dust, run-off into the creek, noise and lighting which has scared off wildlife.

That was despite concerns about impacts on Toowong Creek.

Ecologist Iris Hing said the government website where people could lodge a submission, or view documentation on the project, was down for a least several days leading up to Thursday, November 8, when one opponent notified the government of the problem.

However, submissions closed the next day.

“It was signed off on the following Thursday, after three days of (parliament sittings),’’ Ms Hing said.

A Department of Education spokesman said there were two rounds of public consultation, meetings, a public information session and flyers were distributed to 250 locals.

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As part of the process, community consultation on the QASMT expansion was undertaken

between February and April 2018.

Community consultation activities included: meetings with the school and school community representatives; a public information session; the distribution of letters and communication material to more than 250 residents and property owners; a project web page; and direct written and verbal communication with community members.

She said the Department of Education considered feedback provided by the community to finalise the master plan for QASMT.

Changes to the master plan included traffic changes and the location and configuration of

on-site carparking.

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“These changes have been made to reduce the impacts to the local community and the

surrounding environment,’’ she said.

“On September 6, the Department of Education held a further community information

session to provide the updated expansion plans to the community.

“The majority of attendees to the session were satisfied with the changes to the master plan.

“The works for Stage 1 of the QASMT expansion, involving refurbishment of existing

buildings on the site to make the space ready for 2019, commenced on September 17.

“These works are occurring during daylight hours to prevent noise and light pollution in this area at night.’’

Stage 2 works were expected to commence in the coming weeks.

Environmental management plans, including a sediment management plan, would be in place

for construction.

Wildlife spotters will also be onsite during Stage 2 construction, and works

will continue to be undertaken in daylight hours during Stage 2.