Minister inspects damage at Helensvale State School

• 130 Queensland state schools affected by recent weather events
• Helensvale one of two state schools on Gold Coast to suffer serious damage
• All schools aiming to be ready for Day 1 of new school year

Audio here. 

Repairs to Queensland schools damaged by storms and heavy rains in the period around Christmas and New Year across the Metro South and South East regions are being fast-tracked.

Education Minister Di Farmer, who visited storm-damaged Helensvale State School on the Gold Coast today, said the Miles Government is aiming to have all state schools ready for the start of the school year on January 22.

The school was one of 35 schools damaged across the department’s Metro South and South East regions. A further 95 schools in Far North Queensland suffered damage as a result of Cyclone Jasper and its aftermath.

Helensvale State School is one of two on the Gold Coast to suffer serious damage, with a tree impacting a classroom in a two-storey learning building.

At Coomera State School, where a tree damaged a two-space prep building, a structural report will determine next steps.

Quotes attributable to Education Minister Di Farmer:

“While the damaged building at Helensvale State School won’t be available for approximately the first three weeks of the school year, it has sufficient capacity to accommodate all students for the start of school.

“Likewise, Coomera State School has sufficient capacity to accommodate all students without use of the damaged prep building.

“I want to thank departmental regional office staff in Far North Queensland and South East Queensland along with our Infrastructure Services Division, the State Government’s QBuild, school communities and volunteers for their great work to make sure all kids get a good start to the school year.”

Further information:

Rarely have storms on the Gold Coast had such widespread impacts. Gold Coast families and residents can be assured that the Miles Government is focused on the massive response required and that every effort is being made to help them.

All flood-affected schools will keep staff and families updated through their usual communication channels regarding any closures, alternate arrangements and reopening dates. The Department of Education school closures website provides communities with the most up-to-date information about the status of schools in areas affected by significant weather events – https://closures.qld.edu.au/

ENDS

Media contact – Gary Shipway - 0458 090 906