State government reveals multimillion-dollar spend on Townsville state schools

A school that cannot hold an assembly with all of its students indoors is one step closer to a new multipurpose hall. Here’s how.

William Ross State School and Cameron Dick.

A school that cannot hold an assembly with all of its students indoors is one step closer to a new multipurpose hall.

William Ross State High School, which has been pushing for funding for a new hall for almost a decade, has scored $13.4m in the 2023/24 state budget.

State Treasurer Cameron Dick will be in Townsville on Tuesday to talk about the funding committed to the region, with five North Queensland schools expected to benefit from cash injections for projects this year.

The funding includes $13.3m for a Townsville State High School performing arts centre, $13.1m for the already announced Pimlico State High School, $629,000 out of $5.8m for a new hall at Thuringowa State High School, and $1.4m out of $3.4m for a new administration building at Kirwan State School.

William Ross State High School. Picture: Alix Sweeney

For William Ross SHS, the decade-long fight to secure a new hall has meant issues with sports, assemblies, and finding enough space for cohorts to sit exams.

Ahead of the election, the government put $50,000 on the table for a feasibility study, but in 2021 the P&C association said the plans provided wouldn’t meet the school’s needs.

It is not known what the government’s current plans for the school’s new multipurpose hall are.

Mr Dick said the new multipurpose hall for William Ross SHS was a continuation of the government’s commitment to improve outcomes for students and teachers in the region.

“It’s evidence of how this budget is delivering for all Queenslanders from the Cape to Coolangatta,” he said.

William Ross SHS principal Allan Evans said the new hall would be a massive support for the school, and would help with performing arts, school assemblies, and for engaging the whole school community.

“Having a brand-new hall will be a fantastic asset for William Ross State High School and a dedicated, covered area, fully protected from the elements will enable multiple curricular and extra-curricular activities to take place, enhancing student learning,” Mr Evans said.

Treasurer Cameron Dick. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said he had worked with the school to secure the funding, which would make a big difference to the school.

“I know the students and teachers at William Ross State High School, as well as at the other schools that are getting upgrades, will be over the moon with these upgrades,” he said.

Education Minister Grace Grace said investing in schools was in the government’s DNA.

“We’ve invested $327m for education infrastructure across the Townsville LGA since 2015, and in this budget there’s a new hall for William Ross SHS, an extension of the hall at Kirwan SHS, and a performing arts centre at Townsville SHS,” she said.

“Projects we’ve already committed to are coming along well too, including the $18.4m performing arts centre at Pimlico SHS.”

The state also invested heavily in health, with $1.3bn in the budget for the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

This includes $58.2m for Townsville University Hospital to construct a new clinical services building and expanded Outpatients Department to deliver better healthcare outcomes for the community and $18m for the stage one expansion of the Kirwan Health Campus.

An additional $7m has also been provided for Charters Towers Hospital, including establishing a renal dialysis treatment service.

“With $1.3bn for Townsville healthcare, we’ll hire more doctors, nurses and ambos for the region, adding to the 335 extra nurses, 210 extra doctors and 65 extra ambos our government has delivered since 2015,” Mr Dick said.

“From Garbutt to Greenvale, this is about ensuring that Queenslanders can get access to the medical care, education, services and lifestyle they deserve.”

Townsville budget investments breakdown

•$13.1m to construct new specialist classrooms and a new performing arts centre at Pimlico State High School

•$13.3m for a new performing arts centre at Townsville State High School

•$1.4m for administration building upgrades at Kirwan State School

•$629,000 for a new hall at Thuringowa State High School

•$5.3m to deliver a new multipurpose hall, staff work rooms, storerooms and kiosk for Ayr State High School

•$36.9m for disaster recovery and reconstruction to deliver recovery and betterment projects to local government assets affected by disasters

•$19.5m to continue planning and commence pre-construction activities for the Burdekin Falls Dam improvement and raising project.

•$575,000 to construct Dutton St Bridge at Ingham

•$18m for the Stage 1 expansion of the Kirwan Health Campus

•$270,800 for The Oasis Townsville to provide support services to veterans and their families.

•$200,000 to support jobs creation and economic development as part of the Townsville Regional Industrial Estate

•$100,000 toward constructing a safe, modern playroom for children at Ronald McDonald House, Townsville

•$20m to commence design works and other preliminary activities for the Townsville Correctional Precinct Expansion

•$564,650 to protect environmental and Indigenous culture heritage values in Palm Island as part of the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program

•$7.2m to support motorsport at Calcium, Townsville as part of the ‘Drive it NQ’ program.

•$300,000 to complete the Millaroo Dalbeg rural fire brigade station.

•$2m to replace the 51-year-old Charters Towers Kennedy Regiment Memorial Pool and associated facilities.

•$1.6m for Townsville Street University to provide a safe space for young people to engage in vocational education and training workshops, drug and alcohol treatment services and mentoring pathways

Originally published as State government reveals multimillion-dollar spend on Townsville state schools