This financial year, the State will allocate a record amount of $1.464 billion to fund construction of new schools and refurbishment, maintenance, and expansion of existing state schools, including Toowong State School.
Among other education infrastructure projects to be funded under the Queensland Government 2019-20 Budget, eight state schools will receive funding for planned enhancement and construction of new facilities this year.
“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,” Education Minister Grace 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.
Under the 2019-20 Budget, $1.25 million will be allocated for the construction of a new building at Toowong State School which will include six general learning spaces, one specialist space, and administration.
“This will see new and enhanced classrooms, libraries, canteens and administration areas built at these schools, which will make these great schools even better.
“State schools in regional Queensland are also in line for an infrastructure boost, with the Budget providing funding for a range of projects at schools from the tip of Cape York and West to Mount Isa.”
Cooler Schools
Also included in the 2019-20 Budget additional $100 million, spread over four years, for priority state school air-conditioning projects in the hottest and most humid parts of Queensland. This will bring the government’s total investment to $191 million over five years.
“This will include urgent replacement of air-conditioning units in schools in the Cooler Schools Zone and other priority school air-conditioning projects as identified through a review of state school air-conditioning needs,” Ms Grace said.
Four new state schools
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the government has also allocated funds for four additional new state schools to be built across the state.
“New primary and special schools will be built at Palmview and 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,” The Premier said.
“These new state schools will enrol students for day 1, 2021 along with the new Inner City South State Secondary College, which we’re delivering in Dutton Park for Brisbane’s inner southern suburbs.
“This investment will see the total number of new schools opened by my government since 2015 increase to 26.”