Air conditioning delivered for Wide Bay Burnett state schools

Every single classroom, library and staff room in every single state school in the Wide Bay Burnett region is now air conditioned in time for Term 2, 2022 as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $477 million Cooler Cleaner Schools Program.

An investment of around $14.9 million has secured air conditioning for more than 830 school spaces in 96 schools across the region.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith and Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari joined local school communities today to announce the achievement had been delivered more than two months ahead of schedule.

“As a former high school teacher, I know just how important the successful rollout of the Cooler Cleaner Schools Program is for students and staff right across Queensland,” Mr Smith said, speaking from Kepnock State High School in Bundaberg.

“I was teaching at Kepnock State High School when the first round of units were installed and can speak first hand to the better learning environment created by this investment from the Palaszczuk Government.

“To know that all schools across the Wide Bay are now successfully air-conditioned is very exciting for the future learning of our young people.”

Speaking from Urangan State High School, Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said he was pleased the government was able to deliver on its commitment.

“There is no denying Hervey Bay has great weather, but with that comes the humidity and the heat,” Mr Tantari said.

“Having air conditioning throughout every public school learning space in Hervey Bay is a great outcome for our school students and staff.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the Cooler Cleaner Schools Program was due for completion in June this year, but was fast tracked so that state school students, teachers and staff in the Wide Bay and elsewhere could enjoy air conditioning sooner.

“The Palaszczuk Government remains committed to providing quality school facilities for Queensland,” Ms Grace said.

“Our Cooler Cleaner Schools Program supported around 1,000 jobs during the height of the pandemic, as well as a pipeline of work as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s economic recovery plan for Queensland.

“During 2021–22, we are delivering an overall infrastructure investment portfolio valued at almost $1.9 billion, driving the Queensland economy by supporting more than 4,100 jobs.”

Kepnock State High School Principal Nicholas Howkins welcomed the new air conditioning which has been highly valued by the entire school community.

“Having the air conditioning has been a blessing. It keeps people calm and settled and better able to focus on their work - especially in the hot and humid conditions we had at the start of the year,” Mr Howkins said.

“We’re very grateful to the P&C who contributed around $20,000 towards air conditioning extra rooms.”

Maryborough West State School Principal Greg Finn said that the new air conditioning was very well received by the local school community, particularly given the local climate.

“In the recent summer months with the heat and high humidity, exacerbated in Maryborough by two recent floods, the air conditioning has allowed the students and teachers to conduct their work in comfort,” Mr Finn said.

“In those times after the lunch break where children traditionally return to the classroom hot and bothered, teachers have reported greater focus and productivity from the students since the installation of the air conditioning.

“Even before the announcement of the Cooler Cleaner Schools Program the P&C Association were focusing their fund-raising efforts on air conditioning the Prep Classrooms and contributed $16 000 to this.”

Ms Grace said the use of air ventilation and correctly operated and maintained air conditioning systems that introduce fresh air from outside could help minimise transmission of COVID-19 in schools.

“Our investment also includes $71 million over 3 years to expand solar panel installations on state school rooftops to assist in offsetting the additional energy air conditioners will use,” Ms Grace said.

For more information on the Cooler Cleaner Schools Program visit: https://alt-qed.qed.qld.gov.au/programs-initiatives/department/building-education/major-projects/cooler-cleaner-schools

ENDS

Media contact: Annamika Calcino 0418 183 210