MEDIA STATEMENT: Land purchased and planning starts for new special school on Brisbane’s Bayside  

Land purchased and planning starts for new special school on Brisbane’s Bayside  

• Early-stage planning to ease enrolment pressure at Darling Point Special School. 
• Land purchased at Manly West for future education facilities. 
• Concept master plan and detailed business case to be prepared in consultation with local schools.  

The Crisafulli Government has commenced planning for future education facilities to relieve enrolment pressure at Darling Point Special School. 

The Department of Education has purchased a 2.5 hectare site next to Manly West State School and will soon undertake technical site investigations and explore options for the land. 

To accommodate current enrolments, a number of students have been attending a temporary satellite campus at Iona College since 2022.  

Darling Point Special School is a Prep to Year 12 school, located on less than one hectare of land at Upper Esplanade, Manly. Bordered by Moreton Bay and parkland, there is no option to expand the school at its current site. 

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the Government is committed to finding ways to meet the long-term educational needs of the school and students in consultation with local schools. 

“By the end of 2025, the department will complete a concept master plan for infrastructure to relieve Darling Point Special School on the land purchased at 218 Manly Road,” Minister Langbroek said. 

“Plans for the new educational facilities will be developed in consultation with local schools.  

“Plans will also undergo public consultation to inform any future town planning approval and will require funding and planning approval before construction can commence.” 

The community is encouraged to email questions about the project which is in the very early stages to BuildingFutureSchools@qed.qld.gov.au. 

ENDS  

MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Thomson 0409 229 508