Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce has strongly welcomed the announcement by State LNP candidates Donna Kirkland and Glen Kelly that a future State LNP Government will build a high school in Gracemere.
Mr Boyce said, the wider Gracemere community has been advocating for a high school for almost 30 years and in this time, various petitions and campaigns have been formed by the local community.
"I have been fighting for a high school in Gracemere for many years and I would like to commend Donna and Glen for their advocacy and for this important commitment," Mr Boyce said.
"The nearest state high school to Gracemere is Rockhampton State High School, which is located at Campbell Street, Wandal. As the school is the only state secondary facility on the southern side of the city, it draws its student population from families of diverse economic and vocational backgrounds.
"The diversity includes nearby Gracemere which has seen urban development along with semi-rural properties and small farming communities extending to Gogango in the west and to Bajool and Marmor in the south. Over 600 students rely on bus transport every day.
"Overcrowded buses, high student to teacher ratios in classrooms, bullying and the overstimulating of children before they even get to a classroom are just some of the issues raised by parents calling for a high school at Gracemere.
"Last month, hundreds of students were left waiting for over an hour due to driver issues with the contracted bus company. Some students missed school for the whole day as there were no other alternative. Unfortunately, this has been a regular occurrence over many years.
"I'm sure today's announcement by the State LNP will be strongly welcomed by the local Gracemere community."
