Pacific Pines State High School Junior School Precinct underway

Local tradies have officially started work at the site of the $28.6 million Junior Secondary Precinct at Pacific Pines State High School.

State Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon, representing Minister for Education Grace Grace, said it was an exciting day for the school to see the development formally begin.

“This significant investment on the Gold Coast is supporting 85 jobs during construction,” Ms Scanlon said.

“It also demonstrates the State Government’s commitment to accelerating education infrastructure in South East Queensland.

“The precinct will include eight general learning areas, six science labs, two robotics labs, two maker spaces, two kitchens, eight specialist learning spaces, support spaces plus student and staff amenities, across three new buildings.

“We expect construction to finish in mid-2022 with the new facilities supporting future enrolment growth by increasing capacity for the whole school by more than 650 students.

“Education budgets are all about building for the future with infrastructure projects rebuilding our economy and providing world-class education facilities for our young people.

“This investment will continue to give our kids a great start in early education, engage them through school and at the same time, create jobs for local tradies.”

Ms Scanlon said the Queensland Government was committed to providing quality education facilities in growing communities and creating jobs as part of Queensland’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan.

“In 2020-21, we are delivering an overall state school infrastructure investment across the state valued at more than $1.9 billion,” Ms Scanlon said.

Pacific Pines State High School Principal Mark Peggrem said the new junior secondary precinct will allow the school to meet the needs of the growing community well into the future.

“We are such a fast-growing school this development is occurring at exactly the right time to help us match our enrolment growth with first-class education facilities,” Mr Peggrem said.

“The whole school is excited to see this major development formally underway.

“This new Junior Secondary Precinct will ensure we are able to meet the needs of our diverse learning community with first class facilities and learning spaces.”

The project is being delivered by Hutchinson Builders.