A major refurbishment will breathe new life into classrooms at Pialba State School as part of the Palaszczuk Government's record breaking $16.5 billion education budget.
Education Minister Grace Grace joined Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari to announce the $440,000 project that will see four learning spaces renovated.
Minister Grace said it's just one of a suite of education projects being delivered in Wide Bay as part of the budget.
"It's so important to ensure we're renewing and modernising older school spaces in order to make the most of the facilities our brilliant Queensland schools already have, in addition to funding new buildings," Ms Grace said.
"I'm excited to see the finished product of this refurbishment at Pialba State School and I can't wait for students and staff to enjoy the revitalised learning spaces which I'm sure will feel brand new.
"The Palaszczuk Government is investing $40.2 million into education in the Wide Bay region in the 2022-23 Budget as part of a $1.9 billion spend on education infrastructure right across Queensland, supporting nearly 4,200 jobs.
"This budget is all about delivering good jobs, better services, and enhancing our Queensland lifestyle.
"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing a world-class education to all Queensland students, no matter where in the state they live."
More than $21 million is being spent on Hervey Bay school infrastructure, with major projects at Urangan State High School (a new hall), Urangan Point State School (a new hall) and Hervey Bay Special School (refurbishment of amenities) also funded.
Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said the timely investment in upgrading Pialba State School's Block C, delivered through the Palaszczuk Government's School Infrastructure Enhancement Program, will rejuvenate a building that is now more than 30 years old.
"I'm so proud to be a part of a government that is delivering upgraded classrooms for our school, and I know students and staff at Pialba State School are looking forward to the renewed spaces," Mr Tantari said.
"All buildings reach a time when they need some money spent to modernise them and it's time for Pialba State School to benefit from this type of renovation.
"Currently these Block C classrooms are being occupied by some of our youngest students, and I know teachers are looking forward to rejuvenated spaces that will increase wall space and provide an enhanced learning environment.
"This investment will allow Block C to offer learning spaces with modern equipment and be better integrated with other learning spaces at Pialba."
Pialba State School Principal Janeen Fricke said the school welcomed the $440,000 investment.
"Our staff and students who use these rooms at the moment will be very pleased to know that their classrooms will receive this renovation," Ms Fricke said.
"It will also give them access to more modern teaching and learning environment with the rooms better sound-proofed, lighter and connected to other classrooms, making them much more modern and suited to today's style of teaching."
Works at Pialba State School are expected to begin by early-2023, with completion scheduled for mid-2023.
State school students in the Wide Bay region will also benefit from other education budget announcements including:
- 675 extra teachers and nearly 200 extra teacher aides in 2022-23 as part of an ongoing commitment to employ more than 6,100 new teachers and 1,100 teacher aides
- $20 million for playground and tuckshop upgrades
- The $100 million, four-year Go for Gold Fund for new and upgraded sports infrastructure for schools across the state
- $80.6 million to support schools to transition to a new resourcing model for students with disability
- $15.5 million for respectful relationships education
- $13.3 million to expand the partnership with Queensland-based charity Share the Dignity, giving all state schools the opportunity to install a vending machine that provides free period products
- Additional funding as part of our kindergarten funding reform package worth more than $1 billion over the next five years
