Three short-listed sites for new Brighton high school announced by Tasmanian Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff

Construction of a new high school at Brighton is one step closer after the State Government short-listed three possible sites for the build. Find out the options.

Senator Richard Colbeck (left) listening to Brighton Council Mayor Tony Foster speaking. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THE State Government has short-listed three possible sites for a new high school in Brighton.

Racecourse Rd, Elderslie Rd and Pontville next to the sporting facilities have each been earmarked as potential locations for the new $30 million school.

The school’s location has proved a contentious issue for the Liberal’s key state election commitment after Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff announced in May it would not fit on the same site as the Jordan River Learning Federation school farm.

Three short-listed sites for the proposed new high school in Brighton. Picture: Education Department

That prompted an angry response from Brighton Mayor Tony Foster who said there was no viable alternative site for the high school.

But despite the Mayor’s concerns, Mr Rockliff has pushed ahead with finding an alternative spot for the new school.

“Location of the new high school with the Jordan River Learning Federation School Farm is not an option as modelling showed the farm and high school would not fit together on the school farm site,” he said on Monday.

MORE NEWS:

DOVER SCHOOL BUS PARKING ROADBLOCK

WHEN THE NEW BROOKER AVE BRIDGE WILL OPEN

HERITAGE BLOCKING DEVELOPMENT, SAY ALDERMEN

LABOR TO CONSIDER SUPPORT FOR PILL TESTING

“The new high school will support one of the fastest-growing areas in Tasmania and provide greater learning opportunities for local students and their families.”

(L-R) Brighton Mayor Tony Foster, Senator Richard Colbeck and Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Rockliff said the short-listed sites were drawn from suggestions received during community consultation. A second round of consultation has now commenced and will run until August 26.

The prolonged process on finding a location has already delayed the expected start of construction until 2022. It was originally hoped it would start before the end of the 2020-21 financial year.

Cr Foster, currently overseas, maintained it was not appropriate to site a farm in the centre of a growing town.

[e-mail]