Toowoomba’s Downlands College reveals sneak peek at $14.5m junior school expansion, Hutchinson Builders appointed lead contractor

A Toowoomba private school will undergo the most significant expansion in its history, announcing the lead contractor for the $14.5m project. See an exclusive sneak peek here:

Concept art for Downlands College's $14m junior school expansion. Hutchinson Builders has been appointed as the lead contractor.

A prestigious Toowoomba private school has offered a new look at its upcoming $14.5m junior school, while also announcing the lead contractor on the project.

Downlands College has revealed Hutchinson Builders will take the reins on the expansion, which needs to be finished in time for the first cohort of students next year.

Principal Stephen Koch said it was an important step for the school as it looked to welcome hundreds of new children as part of an expanded P-12 offering.

“We’re excited to announce that Hutchison Builders has been awarded the building contract for the new Junior school precinct, as it means we’re one step closer to welcoming Prep to Year Three students in 2023,” he said.

“The new learning precinct will attract hundreds of new students wishing to enrol at Downlands College.”

Concept art for Downlands College's $14m junior school expansion. Hutchinson Builders has been appointed as the lead contractor.

The expansion will host eight new classes of students, with teacher-to-pupil ratios to remain low.

Mr Koch said the project would not have been possible without significant funding from the Queensland Government.

“We’re thankful to have received $5.7 million from the State Government grant by Queensland Catholic Education to aid in this project” he said.

Hutchinson Builders team leader Sean Lees said the project would create work for more than 500 local tradespeople during construction.

Downlands College principal Stephen Koch with students (from left) Cohen Moore, Sophie Reynolds, Jaxson Parker and Sasithmi Kevitiyagala as the college announces it will take Prep students from 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It’s a significant project for the school and the Toowoomba community and like most other projects, timing is essential,” he said.

“We’ll have about 15 people involved from our direct team, but there will be about 500 local construction people involved in the project at some point.

“There’s a strong desire from both Downlands and Hutchies to use local labour and suppliers — it’s essential especially with pressing time frames.

“The more you can source in your backyard, the less risk you expose yourself to.”

Mr Lees said Hutchinson Builders had a long association with Downlands, dating back to 1943 when it created 12 buildings at the campus.

The school is welcoming expressions of interest for families wishing to enrol their child in the new cohort.

For more information, contact [e-mail] or head to the college’s website at downlands.qld.edu.au.