Brisbane catchment shake-up: New schools affect boundaries for existing ones

South East Queensland schools are set for big changes, meaning parents will need to rethink where they choose to buy. SEE THE NEW MAPS

File picture: Parents waiting in line after spending the night outside Ascot State School. Pictures: Jack Tran

The opening of new schools has triggered a shake-up to school catchments across Queensland potentially forcing hundreds of parents to rethink where they choose to buy or risk joining lengthy waiting lists.

The state government will open two primary schools next year at Redland Bay and Bellbird Park meaning the neighbouring enrolment catchment boundaries will change.

With many parents happy to pay a premium to buy properties inside high-performing public school catchments, they have been warned to ensure they’re not caught out by potential zone changes.

Brisbane families have been known to go as far to camp out overnight to secure placements in the most sought-after public schools.

A Courier-Mail analysis of department of education mapping as identified the 32 schools that have had their boundaries altered ahead of 2024.

State school catchment areas are reviewed annually with adjustments made for new schools and changes to road networks.

The two new schools opening next year are Scenic Shores State School which will slash the catchment of Redland Bay State School, and Bellbird Park State School which will ease pressure at Kruger and Augusta state schools.

Other schools zones like Eagle Junction, Eumundi state schools and Albany Creek State High School were tweaked to align with existing road networks.

In Brisbane’s inner west, there are changes to catchment zones of Indooroopilly State School to “reduce its capacity pressures”, impacting the boundaries of Kenmore and Fig Tree Pocket state schools.

Similarly, the boundaries of Fernbrooke State School were changed to relieve anticipated enrolment stretches at Ripley Valley State School.

Queensland Association of State School Principals president Pat Murphy stressed that families should always look up the catchment boundaries to check where a home fell into when buying property.

Mr Murphy said it was the best way to avoid being placed on a waiting list for out-of-catchment enrolments at many of the state’s most popular schools.

Eagle Junction State School is one of the more sought-after state schools in Brisbane. Picture: David Clark

“You can have some difficult conversations with parents but they are more aware than ever about the catchment zones,” Mr Murphy said.

“One of the first things parents say is ‘well my neighbours go to this school’, so they want to as well.

“They want to have those same neighbourhood friendships, plus they want a school that’s on the way to work. Before and after school care programs is another big one.”

Mr Murphy said some schools had more flexibility around out of catchments than others and all had a goal to avoid overcrowding where possible.

Ray White New Farm principal Matt Lancashire said parents would look to purchase homes inside the catchments of primary schools with stellar reputations.

Mr Lancashire said hundreds of families were known to camp out overnight if it meant they secured placement at some of Brisbane’s most popular schools.

“Generally, they look for good primary school catchments, then they make the decision later whether it’s go to private school or a public high school,” Mr Lancashire said.

“People want to know where the good primary schools are, and they are all in competition to become the best school.

“Some of the schools like West End State School and Brisbane State High School, people will buy properties inside the catchments just to get in.”

Mr Lancashire said schools like Bardon, Rainworth and Ascot state schools were incredibly popular.

“I know people from Hendra and Clayfield, they aren’t in the Ascot State School catchment but try everything to get in even though they don’t qualify,” he said.

“They line up outside and even camp overnight. Often they also went to the school, so it’s for nostalgia reasons.”

A department of education spokesman said school catchment areas were generally equidistant and based on return trafficable routes between homes and neighbouring schools.

The spokesman said changes to catchments may happen due to “local circumstances” in consultation with affected principals.

Originally published as Brisbane catchment shake-up: New schools affect boundaries for existing ones