Students across the Fraser Coast and Wide Bay regions are set for a cooler 2020, after the Palaszczuk Government announced state schools in the region would have air-conditioning installed in every classroom.
Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders said the investment would be welcomed by local principals, teachers, parents and students alike.
"I've been campaigning hard to ensure local schools like Maryborough West State School were included in the next rollout of air-conditioning," Mr Saunders said.
"So to see the Premier go further and ensure all schools across the whole region are air-conditioned is fantastic.
"This announcement shows that the Palaszczuk Government has its focus on our region and a strong desire to support local jobs and local contractors in our town."
Making the announcement at Urangan State High School today, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said this latest announcement will bring the total number of schools across Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg to be air-conditioned to 40.
"Every student at a state school on the Fraser Coast will be learning in a classroom with air-conditioning," the Premier said.
"Last month we announced the first 15 Queensland schools to benefit from this new program.
"Today we are announcing another 25 local schools will be added to the program and we will continue to take a measured approach to the rollout.
"We have committed an additional $100 million over four years through our priority air-conditioning program.
"Importantly this investment will support more than 300 jobs around Queensland.
"My government has a laser-like focus on creating jobs and this is yet another demonstration of that."
Education Minister Grace Grace said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to ensuring every student gets the best start in life.
"We're getting on with the job and methodically rolling out air-conditioning for classrooms in a fiscally responsible manner," Ms Grace said.
"We've looked at the areas in the hottest parts of the state outside the 'Cooler Schools Zone' and as a result every state school in the Fraser Coast region will now have air-conditioned classrooms.
"Our $100 million commitment is in addition to the 3500 classrooms north of Gladstone in the Cooler Schools Zone that are already air-conditioned."
"We acknowledge the good work done by P&C's, school communities and the department in the past to provide air-conditioning in classrooms.
"Now, thanks to our measured approach, we are building on that good work and rolling it out in the hottest parts of the state.
"In contrast the LNP's policy is full of hot air and one big con.
"The LNP have not explained how many teachers they will sack in order to pay for their $2 billion thought bubble."
Full list of schools to be air-conditioned:
- Howard State School
- Avoca State School
- Branyan Road State School
- Bundaberg Central State School
- Bundaberg South State School
- Mungar State School
- Bundaberg Special School
- Maryborough State High School
- Maryborough Central State School
- Albert State School
- Tinana State School
- St Helens State School
- Aldridge State High School
- Maryborough Special School
- Maryborough West State School
- Torbanlea State School
- Kalkie State School
- Yarrilee State School
- Urangan Point State School
- Urangan State High School
- Sandy Strait State School
- Pialba State School
- Hervey Bay State High School
- Torquay State School
- Kawungan State School
Schools already announced in first tranche of air-conditioning rollout
- Bundaberg West State School
- Bundaberg State High School
- Walkervale State School
- Norville State School
- Thabeban State School
- Kepnock State High School
- Sunbury State School
- Bundaberg North State High School
- Bargara State School
- Burnett Heads State School
- Isis District State High School
- Gin Gin State School
- Gin Gin State High School
- Ipswich State High School
- Ipswich North State School
