Multimillion-dollar Springfield Central State High School project to create hundreds of jobs

A brand new high school has been announced for Greater Springfield, forming part of a $135 million project to accommodate population growth. Now the plans have been revealed.

As population and high school enrolments grow in Greater Springfield, a multimillion-dollar senior school has been announced for the area.

The build is part of a massive $135.79 million project that will see 375 jobs created and a number of new secondary school facilities open in Springfield for Term 1, 2024.

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said the Queensland Department of Education purchased a “significant site” beside Springfield TAFE after an exhaustive search for available land.

“There is a real opportunity to do something unique and different with this site, being adjacent to the Springfield TAFE and the University of Southern Queensland, so a decision was made to expand the very popular Springfield Central State High School and build a senior campus for Years 10 to 12,” Ms Mullen said.

A preliminary concept drawing of the new Springfield Central State High School senior campus. Picture: Supplied

She said Greater Springfield had experienced significant enrolment growth in recent years, and another 3300 school-aged kids were expected to move into the area over the next two decades.

“The existing Springfield Central State High School campus is bursting at the seams with roughly 2000 students – and despite some recent welcome additional buildings and a new hall, there is currently no space left to expand,” she said.

Education Minister Grace Grace and Springfield Central State High School Principal Anne Lawson last week announced a new ‘vertical’ senior campus will be built at the site, providing opportunities for collaboration between the school, the VET sector, the Springfield university, and even Mater Health Services.

Education Minister Grace Grace, Jordan MP Charis Mullen, and Principal Anne Lawson announced the project at Springfield Central State High School. Picture: Supplied

Stage one of the build is set to include general and specialist learning areas, a new performing arts centre, a new multipurpose sports hall, and plenty of green space – all of which will open in 2024.

Ms Mullen said having a new campus will mean the catchment for Springfield Central State High School “will need to be reviewed” so it can meet future growth in areas like Spring Mountain and Springfield Central.

The announcement comes as Augustine Heights’ newest state school, budgeted to cost the state government about $77 million, enters the design phase.

The new campus development will be undertaken in two stages, with the first to open in 2024.

The new school at 12 Purser Road will open for Prep to Year 6 students for Term 1, 2023 and aims to provide enrolment relief to Fernbrooke State School, Augusta State School, and Redbank Plains State School.

About 200 jobs will be created in construction.

Bellbird Park is also set to gain a new state school in January 2024, which will cater for Prep to Year 6 students.

The school’s design is still being finalised, and planning approval processes are still in progress, but the location has been identified and will require the amalgamation of a number of properties.

The Department of Education has reportedly commenced negotiations with landowners.

Originally published as Multimillion-dollar Springfield Central State High School project to create hundreds of jobs