Budget Schools: Where the spend is on the Coast

Gold Coast schools will receive a $116m boost from the state budget. See the winners and losers in the record-breaking spend on education.

Gold Coast schools which are expected to experience the fastest growth are the biggest winners in a record education spent in the state budget.

Treasurer Cameron Dick on Tuesday announced a record investment of almost $21 billion in education, including a $116m boost to the Coast’s schools and learning facilities.

This compares to $89.7m spent in 2022-23.

“This budget will deliver the schools, teachers and student supports that matter to Queenslanders,” Mr Dick said in his budget speech.

“Importantly this Budget allocates $1 billion over five years to deliver more teachers and teacher aids to help every student realise their potential, including priority cohorts such as students with a disability.”

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has handed down a record breaking spend for education and health. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

A centrepiece of the education spending is the almost $1.3bn in school infrastructure including:

• $342 million for new facilities at schools experiencing the fastest enrolment growth.
• $273 million to upgrade facilities at existing schools
  
• $167 million for the Building Future Schools program to deliver world-class learning environments for students.
  
• $144 million as part of the strategic land acquisition fund, to acquire land for new and expanded schools; and
  
• $117 million to continue the rollout of our successful School Halls Program.
  

Mr Dick said the record breaking investment of $20.9bn will improve the lives of young Queensland. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

The key Coast projects outlined in the budget papers include:

• Nerang State High School – $7m out of $9.9m total spend to upgrade the existing hall facility.
• Growth projects in Gold Coast – $48.3m out of $73.7m total spend to deliver additional learning spaces on the Gold Coast.
• Beachmont State School – $480,000 towards amenities upgrades.
• Hall Projects in the Gold Coast – $3.5m towards building new halls, performing arts facilities and covered areas at selected state schools.
• Miami State School – Site renewal: $360,000

Health was the other big winner on the Coast, with a $2.4 billion spend.

This compares a $2.1 billion spend in the previous year.

Other funding includes $58m for the Coast out of a total $162.6m total spend on free TAFE nursing, $5.8m to fund more training opportunities and increase workforce participation and $96.7m towards strengthening the state’s training system to deliver vital skills.

The Coast health spend will go towards the completion of key projects including $120m for the new Coomera Hospital and $40.3m towards the Gold Coast Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit.

Artist impression of the new Coomera Public Hospital. Picture: Supplied/Queensland State Government.

Mr Dick said the record spend comes as the cost of providing health care continues to rise faster than other expenses.
“The 10.6 per cent increase in operating funding for Queensland Health in this budget is well above the historical average of 6.9 per cent,” Mr Dick said.

Other health projects to be delivered in the Gold Coast include:

• Gold Coast Parklands Health and Knowledge Precinct: $4m out of $42.2m total spend to continue development.
• Gold Coast Operations Centre Redevelopment (Coomera): $13m out of $19.9m total spend to redevelop the Southport Ambulance Station and Gold Coast Operations Centre
• Southport Ambulance Station Redevelopment: $100,000