Palaszczuk Government delivering for Mackay schools

The Palaszczuk Government’s bumper investment in school infrastructure is set to deliver a new $12 million Performing Arts Centre for Mackay students.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Education Minister Grace Grace and member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert today visited Mackay Northern Beaches State High School to inspect works on the new facility, which will include a 500-seat theatre and multi-media classrooms.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said she was thrilled to see this Performing Arts Centre being delivered for the local community.

“This new facility has been a priority project for the Palaszczuk Government,” Ms Gilbert said.

“We have so many talented students here at Mackay Northern Beaches State High School and it’s great they will soon be able to perform and practice in a modern facility, with all the trimmings.

“The Performing Arts Centre will include a 500-seat theatre and related music practice rooms, multi-media classrooms and a public entry foyer with a ticket kiosk.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the new state-of-the-art centre reflected her Government’s commitment to providing students across Queensland with a world-class education.

“This new $12 million Performing Arts Centre will provide students here in Mackay with the opportunity to perform and hone their creative talents.

“I know this school has a very strong interest in the performing arts and the school community has advocated for this new facility to support its talented students.

“I’m proud my Government is delivering this $12 million facility for the Mackay Northern Beaches State High School community.”

Education Minister Grace Grace said the project would also refurbish existing temporary dance and music spaces into general classrooms, develop a 22-space car park and deliver two multi-purpose outdoor sport courts.

“Our Government is investing in school infrastructure projects across the Mackay region, including a new $7.15 million two-storey building for Years 5 & 6 students at Eimeo Road State School,” she said.

“This new building will have eight classrooms upstairs and four downstairs with a large undercover play area.

“The large play area has been designed with the future in mind and will easily be turned into four more classrooms as the school grows.

Ms Grace said there was also a $1.6 million renovation underway at Marian State School.

“This includes extensions to the school’s administration building and its library, plus a covered outdoor area and extensions to the amenities and storage block,” she said.

Ms Grace said the total investment of more than $20 million in these three local school infrastructure projects would support the creation of more 60 construction-related jobs.

The Palaszczuk Government has a state-wide school Infrastructure Investment Program valued at more than $778 million during 2017-18.

Mackay Northern Beaches State High School Principal Sian Burrows thanked the State Government for the investment in her school.

“The new Performing Arts Facility will be a great and much-needed asset for our school,” Ms Burrows said.

“Overall the new centre will, I am sure, dramatically increase our school’s capacity to develop student performance skills and strengthen our reputation for excellence in the arts and music.

“We are all looking forward to the opening of the new centre in early 2019.”

Media contact:

Susan McGrady: 0488 996 667