Construction starts on high school at Highfields

Local construction firm FK Gardner and Sons has commenced construction on a new high school at Highfields - delivering on a key election promise by the Newman Government.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek turned the first sod at the 10 hectare, O’Brien Road site.

“The Newman Government listened to the local community and committed $35 million over three years from 2012-13 to build the new high school at Highfields,” Mr Langbroek said.

“We are planning 11 new schools methodically and responsibly after Labor’s haphazard and financially irresponsible approach over the last 20 years.”

Mr Langbroek said construction had also begun on a new primary school in Pimpama and a high school in Burpengary – two of the 10 schools to be built in Queensland as part of a $1.517 billion public private partnership.

“The Newman Government will be opening three schools next year, followed by four primary schools opening in 2016 and three primary schools and one high school in 2017,” Mr Langbroek said.

He said the Newman Government’s Schools Planning Commission had worked with the Queensland Government’s Statistician to identify where schools could be needed across the state over the next two decades.

“The Commission’s next report and demand maps are due mid-year.”

Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts said the new high school would open in 2015 with approximately 230 students expected to enrol in Year 7 and 8 and would expand to cater to Year 12 by 2019.

“Today’s event follows extensive consultation and effort by the local community, state government and local council and I thank all those involved,” Mr Watts said.

“This first stage with 25 teaching spaces, including special education facilities, will eventually accommodate up to 480 students.

“Stage One will include an information services centre, executive and student services centre, junior secondary applied technology centre, science centre, general learning centre and covered area, canteen, hospitality services and food court, sports oval, play areas and platforms for future multi-purpose courts.

“Another great outcome for the local area was the fact that a Toowoomba-based, award-winning company FK Gardner and Sons Group won the tender to build the school.

“I heartily invite the school community to contribute suggestions for the new school’s name by emailing the.principal@newschoolshshighfields.eq.edu.au.”

The Minister and the Member for Toowoomba were joined at the sod-turning ceremony by the Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington.

“The new Highfields school will be such a great benefit for the many children from my electorate who live in the local area and will no longer have to travel into Toowoomba for their high school education,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“Our local community, especially families from Meringandan, Meringandan West, Cabarlah and Geham are looking forward to welcoming students into the brand new school for the start of the 2015 academic year.”

Mr Langbroek said by providing this vital infrastructure, we’re helping to secure the future of education in Queensland.

“We’re also delivering on our promise to revitalise front line services for Queensland families,” said Mr Langbroek.

[ENDS] 21 February 2014

Media contacts:

Minister Langbroek                 0439 886 652

Toowoomba North EO           4638 5755

Nanango EO                           4162 1381