A Fresh Start for Queensland: Crisafulli Government delivers new high school for Gracemere
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering on election commitment for a new Gracemere high school with the start of early works.
- $10 million funding has been announced to begin early site works, produce detailed costings and deliver the project's master plan.
- Stage 1 construction of a campus at Gracemere will deliver Years 7 & 8.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered funding to kickstart its election commitment to build a new high school for Rockhampton, ending locals' wait of more than 20 years for a secondary campus.
The Government has today announced $10 million in funding has been allocated to begin early site works, produce detailed costings and deliver the project's master plan.
Gracemere's first high school will be built on existing government-owned land on the corner of Johnson Road and Lucas Street.
The former Labor Government ignored the Gracemere community's school pleas for a decade, despite their population increasing by almost 25 percent.
Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the Crisafulli Government was delivering a high school for Gracemere with construction scheduled to commence in mid-2026.
"The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Rockhampton with a new high school in Gracemere, just as we promised," Minister Langbroek said.
"The rapidly growing Gracemere community has fought for its own high school and thanks to the advocacy by local MP Donna Kirkland, the Crisafulli Government is now delivering this school.
"Shamefully, the community's cries fell on Labor's deaf ears for a decade, leaving this community without the schools needed for their growing population.
"The Crisafulli Government is progressing this much-needed new school within four months of the election, and utilising land left empty by Labor for 10 years."
Minister Langbroek said the Crisafulli Government was delivering its More Teachers, Better Education plan to ensure all Queensland children had access to a world-class education.
"We're delivering a plan that refocusing education on the basics such as Mathematics and English to unleash every student's full potential," he said.
"Under Labor Queensland kids were lagging behind other states and failing to meet national standards.
"The Crisafulli Government is reducing red tape to free up teachers to spend more time in the classroom and less time on admin to ensure kids get the quality education they deserve."
Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland – who spearheaded the campaign for the new high school – said it would support the growing Gracemere community and wider Rockhampton community.
"This vital project will deliver Gracemere children access to a world-class education right in their own suburb," Ms Kirkland said.
"The former Labor Government's forward-planning failure created crisis in Rockhampton schools, with under-resourced classrooms and overcrowded school buses leaving students struggling to learn and putting their safety at risk.
"I am proud to stand alongside Minister Langbroek to announce the Crisafulli Government's significant progress on this vital commitment."
