BEATTIE GOVERNMENT UNVEILS FUTURE SCHOOLS IN BRISBANE BAYSIDE

State schools in the Wynnum Manly area of south-east Brisbane are set to benefit from a multi-million dollar modernisation project as part of the landmark $850 million State Schools of Tomorrow initiative.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said an investment of more than $100 million would enable the local community to help plan for the future of state education, and transform schools into 21^st century teaching and learning environments.

“One of the most important influences on children’s education is the quality of schools in which they learn,” Mr Welford said. “This initiative is about ensuring our state schools are equipped with exceptional facilities, resources and technologies that meet the long-term needs of the local community and increase the educational opportunities for young people.

“Many schools in the Wynnum Manly area were built more than 50 years ago when schooling was very different to the modern day educational needs and aspirations of local families.

“Local families will play a key role in planning the future of education in Brisbane’s Bayside. We want the local community to consider what schools they need for the future, where they should be located, what they should look like, and what facilities they should have.”

The schools to be considered in a new educational vision are Hemmant, Lindum, Wynnum Central, Lota, Wynnum North, Manly, Wynnum West, Wondall Heights, Manly West and Tingalpa state schools, Darling Point Special School and Wynnum North and Wynnum State High Schools.

Some of the options for modernisation could include building a new secondary school, relocating some schools to larger, more convenient sites, creating a maritime studies centre or multi-purpose auditoriums and performing arts complexes that could be shared with other schools.

Member for Lytton and Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said flexible proposals for the Bayside area are being finalised as a starting point for community consultation.

“The Bayside is one of the most vibrant parts of Brisbane,” Mr Lucas said. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for Bayside residents to look at the future of our schools.

“Ideas for the future will be discussed during an independent community consultation program which is set to begin next week. The project will focus on enhancing education, maximising the long-term sustainability of schools, and building new partnerships with the surrounding community.

“I encourage all residents to be involved.”

State Schools of Tomorrow is the major component of the $1 billion Tomorrow’s Schools package announced in the 2006-07 Budget and it is the largest one-off investment in education facilities in Queensland’s history. For more information visit: www.education.qld.gov.au/tomorrows-schools

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000