Education Minister Grace Grace welcomed today’s meeting with Toowoomba MPs and other stakeholders to discuss planning and timing of local education infrastructure.
Ms Grace said the Palaszczuk Government was planning for, and delivering, the education infrastructure needed to keep pace with enrolment growth in the Toowoomba area.
"Today’s meeting was positive – I’m always happy to meet with local members to discuss education infrastructure and local schooling needs," Ms Grace said.
"However, when it comes to delivering new schools we need to get the timing right.
"As with any new school, the potential for a new high school in the Toowoomba south area will be subject to enrolment demand.
"The latest demand mapping conducted by the Queensland School Planning Reference Committee (QSPRC) shows a high school is not needed in this area in the short-to-medium term.
"Of course, we’ll keep a close eye on population growth to ensure we can meet demand, but the need is not immediate.
"In the meantime, we are building additional capacity in the two existing local schools – Harristown State High School and Centenary Heights State High School.
"Through our 2020 Ready program – as we saw yesterday – Harristown SHS will receive a new $15.4 million classroom building, making room for an additional 450 new students.
"At Centenary Heights SHS we are building a new performing arts complex and refurbishing classrooms, at $10.5 million, to make way for an additional 200 students."
Ms Grace said the Palaszczuk Government was investing more than $55 million in school infrastructure and maintenance in the Toowoomba region in 2018-19.
"Our Government delivers the school infrastructure our growing communities need where and when they are needed most – and we are proud of our record," she said.
"Let’s not forget, when the LNP were in office, they earmarked three schools for closure here in the Toowoomba region.
"Ultimately, two local schools were closed under the LNP – Toowoomba South State School and Charlton State School.
"Thankfully, Wyreema State School was spared from the chopping block, and since 2014, it has tripled in size from 53 students to 161.
"We look forward to continuing the dialogue with local Members and the community to ensure we meet the educational needs of the south west Toowoomba area into the future."
