State Government reveals where two new Ipswich schools will be built

The state government has revealed where it plans to build two new Ipswich primary schools.

Several new schools in Ipswich are starting to take to shape with the state government moving to address the huge influx of new students expected in the city’s booming suburbs over the next 20 years.

The Department of Education lodged a development application to Ipswich City Council last week to build a new primary school in Ripley, which is set to open in 2023 and ultimately welcome 1200 students.

The state is currently negotiating with landowners to buy a 7.5-hectare site in Bellbird Park to be used as the site for another new primary school.

Ripley Central State Primary School will ultimately welcome about 1200 students.

It is planned to open in 2024 for Prep to Year 6 students and it will be built over two stages.

The block is bounded by Harris and Morgan streets.

A project brief revealed the facilities as part of stage one will include classrooms, a music learning centre, a multipurpose hall, a resource centre and outdoor learning and play areas.

“This year’s education budget included $913.7 million over seven years for 10 new southeast Queensland schools to open in 2023 and 2024, including a new primary school at Bellbird Park,” a department spokeswoman said.

“Bellbird Park’s newest state school will increase capacity in the local schooling network and provide enrolment relief to Kruger State School and Augusta State School.

Education Minister Grace Grace. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

“The department is consulting with the local community and negotiating with landowners to acquire the land for the school.

“The design of the new school is being finalised, with details of the facilities and learning spaces to be shared in early 2022.”

Construction is expected to start in mid-to-late next year but approval has yet to be granted.

“As part of the planning process, the department takes into consideration community, traffic, environmental, acoustic and stormwater impacts,” the spokeswoman said.

Plans for a new primary school in Bellbird Park.

“The outcomes of these investigations will be used to develop the detailed design of the school.”

The state has also purchased land on Purser Road in Augustine Heights to build a new primary school, which is set to open in 2023.

A new high school is also set to open in the area in 2024 but details are so far limited.

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.

Originally published as State Government reveals where two new Ipswich schools will be built