Northern suburbs get bulk of Labor school spend

Gold Coast MPs are preparing their budget wish lists and the focus is on your biggest gripes about the Glitter Strip.

GOLD Coast students in the city’s fast-growing northern suburbs are poised to benefit the most from the State Government’s $250 million budget education infrastructure spend.

More than $50 million in new schools facilities will be announced for the Coast in today’s State Budget.

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the “2020 Ready” funding boost would support eight high schools on the Coast to accommodate the first full complement of secondary students in Years 7 to 12.

“In 2020, for the first time in Queensland’s history, our high schools will have a full complement of students across all six year levels,” Ms Scanlon said.

Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates wants the State Government to match LNP election commitments.

The Gold Coast schools “2020 ready” projects in 2018-19 — 2019-20 include:

● Helensvale State High, more than $13 million for new classroom building;

● Ormeau Woods State High, $9.7 million for new classroom building;

● Pacific Pines State High, $8 million for new classroom;

● Palm Beach-Currumbin State High, $9.2 million for new classroom building;

● Pimpama State Secondary College, more than $24 million for new classrooms, new performing arts centre and car park;

● Southport State High, $10 million for new two-storey classroom building;

● Varsity College, $2 million to refurbish senior learning centre building;

● Tamborine Mountain State High, $13.6 million for new classroom.

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Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey has questioned the LNP’s costing on the M2. Pics Adam Head

Education Minister Grace Grace said the government’s $250 million investment would support an anticipated 17,000 additional students.

“This funding ... will mean more than $470 million has been invested by this government over the period 2017-18 to 2019-20 to increase the capacity of our state secondary schools,” she said.

As reported yesterday, Treasurer Jackie Trad will also give Gold Coast Health an extra $103 million and pledge more money for Stage 3 of the light rail.

Meanwhile, the State Government is under pressure to match the LNP’s $250 million funding pledge for a second M1 in today’s state Budget.

The Opposition made the commitment for the second M1 during last year’s election campaign. The Federal Government promised to provide the other half of the road’s estimated $500 million cost.

The budget will include $2 billion towards widening M1 bottlenecks. (AAP image, John Gass)

Labor says it hopes to deliver the $25 million upgrade at Oxenford Exit 57 and will channel resources into the $2 billion widening of M1 bottlenecks.

Road experts says both the M1 widening and second motorway are needed to ease major gridlock.

While about $3.45 million is currently budgeted for research on the Coomera Connector – the 36.5km proposed road between Carrara and Stapylton – the LNP called on the government to go a lot further.

“Just come out and match what we’re doing, like with the M1 funding,” Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates said. “We don’t care if it’s our idea. We care about motorists on the Gold Coast.”

The Opposition is aware Main Roads officers have recently begun costing the second M1, which would require more land buy-ups.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has questioned the LNP’s $500 million costing on the road, maintaining the final bill is likely to be $2.4 billion.