The Queensland Government will invest a record $1.464 billion into building new state schools and refurbishing, maintaining and existing ones across the state.
It is part of the Queensland Government’s 2019-20 budget, which will fund the construction of four new state schools in some of the fastest-growing communities in Queensland.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said new primary and special schools will be built at Palmview, a new secondary school will be built at Caloundra South on the Sunshine Coast, and a new primary school will be built at Pimpama on the Gold Coast.
“This investment will see the total number of new schools opened by my government since 2015 increase to 26,” she said.
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the 2019-20 Budget also included funding for early works on a new secondary school at Palmview, which is forecast to open in 2023.
Related stories:
- Sydney school uses cross laminated timber for major redevelopment
- Victorian schools to undergo building blitz
- Queensland school construction blitz begins
“Not only does this Budget provide funding for new and enhanced education infrastructure across Queensland, it has the added benefit of driving job creation in the construction industry,” Trad said.
Education Minister Grace Grace said the Queensland Government was committed to delivering the new and enhanced education infrastructure Queensland’s growing state schools needed now and into the future.
“Over the past 12 months, my department has undertaken master planning of 35 inner city schools in Brisbane to ensure they have the infrastructure they need for the future,” Grace said.
“I am pleased that this year’s budget includes funding to start bringing these master plans to fruition at eight schools – Toowong, Newmarket, Brisbane Central, New Farm, Morningside, Ithaca Creek, Windsor and Petrie Terrace state schools.
“This will see new and enhanced classrooms, libraries, canteens and administration areas built at these schools, which will make these great schools even better.”
Ms Grace said the 2019-20 Budget also included increased funding of $100 million over four years for priority state school air-conditioning projects which, including existing investment, will bring total funding to $191 million over five years.