Scale of extraordinary school infrastructure program revealed

New figures have revealed the extent of the Palaszczuk Government’s massive investment in school infrastructure, which is helping drive Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

Education Minister Grace Grace said since 2015 more than $5.2 billion has been invested in school infrastructure.

“When it comes to building the new schools, new classrooms and new facilities our state needs, it is the Palaszczuk Government that does it best,” Ms Grace said.

“The annual investment in school infrastructure tripled between 2015 and 2019 from $500 million to $1.5 billion.

“And since 2015 we have built 2,067 new classrooms in Queensland schools, growing from 198 new classrooms in 2015 to 683 in 2019.”

Ms Grace said by building and upgrading the schools of the future, we are creating the jobs of today.

“Our record investment in school infrastructure has supported nearly 17,200 jobs across the five years of the Palaszczuk Government,” she said.

“And as our state begins to recover from the COVID-19 global health pandemic we must continue to invest in school infrastructure to continue supporting local jobs.

“Since 2015, we have built and opened 13 new schools with another nine to be delivered in the next four years.”

Ms Grace said there were a number of different education infrastructure programs providing jobs for Queenslanders.

“Through the Renewing Our Schools program, we’re investing $235 million to upgrade education infrastructure across the State, delivering 44 projects at 26 state schools including new and refurbished learning spaces, multi-purpose halls and performing arts centres.

“This is on top of the $200 million we invested through the Advancing Queensland School to build 30 new school halls across the state, with all 30 projects now completed.

“Our $250 million 2020 Ready program delivered additional classrooms at 61 state secondary schools to accommodate all students for the start of the 2020 school year.

“And of course, our signature $477 million Cooler, Cleaner Schools Program will air-condition every classroom, library and staff room in every state school in Queensland and we will put 190,000 solar panels on school rooftops to help offset the cost.”

Queensland’s recovery plan will continue to invest in our schools, creating a better future for our children and supporting important jobs across the state.

Media contact: Brock Taylor – 0427 018 178