Freshwater parents protest construction of $14m multipurpose hall

An Education Queensland employee claims he has quit in protest of a $14m hall expected to wipe out shade trees at a Cairns school. Inside the campaign to save the trees.

An Education Queensland employee claims he has quit in protest of a $14m hall expected to wipe out shade trees at a Cairns school.

More than 200 people including members of the P&C have signed a petition opposing the works at Freshwater State School.

They claim there has been a lack of communication from the Education Department but a spokesman said no concerns were raised at a meeting with stakeholders in July.

Gavin Ibbett, known as Gav the gardener, said the school needed a hall but not if it meant greenery was lost.

Freshwater State School gardener Gavin Ibbett was so furious when he heard about the removal of the trees that he resigned from his position with the school. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Everyone agrees the hall would be a great asset to the school but not at the expense of the green space,” he said.

“This is being done by stealth with little community consultation and they have locked in this plan on us.

“We are seeing a groundswell of people saying this is nutters.”

Freshwater State School parents have raised concerns about plans to remove trees to make way for a new school hall. Picture: Craig Crawford MP

An Education Department spokesman said the school community (which had 669 pupils in 2021) had been advocating for a hall for a “number of years,” which is understood to be similar in design to completed state schools halls at Smithfield, Caravonica and one under construction Redlynch.

The school has a covered basketball court but no multipurpose hall that will be used for school assemblies, stage performances, concerts and indoor sporting activities.

Freshwater State School parents and staff are angry that a large number of mature, established trees will be cut down and removed to allow the construction a new multi purpose hall. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The concept plans for the building were available to staff and the P&C for review, and final building plans were shared with the P&C at its most recent meeting in July this year and no concerns were raised,” the spokesman said.

“The hall design and landscaping plan has not been finalised, however there are a number of

trees that will be required to be removed.

“The decision to remove trees is influenced by the building platform, constructability and the

existing condition of the trees.

“All efforts will be made to reduce the number of trees being removed.”

The Freshwater State School on Kamerunga Rd Picture: Brendan Radke

A Change.org petition has called on Education Minister Di Farmer to “urgently” pause construction.

“Given the limited and last minute information received about the project we request more time to consider the plans, and provide input to ensure an optimum result,” the petition reads.

Barron River MP Craig Crawford said he had met with acting school Principal Karryn Brunetto and P&C president Suzy Jackson to discuss concerns.

“The school community have been calling for a hall for many years, however I understand the concerns for the removal of trees and green play spaces,” he said.

Barron River MP Craig Crawford with Freshwater State School principal Karryn Brunetto and P&C president Suzy Jackson. Picture: Craig Crawford MP

“I have certainly advocated for minimising removal of green space and trees where possible.”

A total of 252 people have signed the petition. A Facebook group protesting the development also started last week now has 220 members.

Construction is set to begin on August 24 but before then the controversial school hall is expected to be discussed at the next Stratford and Freshwater Residents Association meeting on Tuesday night.

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Originally published as Freshwater parents protest construction of $14m multipurpose hall