BRISBANE, Queensland, Aug. 18 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:
Minister for Education and the Arts
The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek
* The Crisafulli Government is delivering on a key election commitment with the first sod turned today for a new high school at Gracemere.
* The new secondary school supports the fast-growing community in Central Queensland and is scheduled to open for Years 7 and 8 in 2028.
* Calls for a new high school atGracemere were ignored by the former LaborGovernment.
* TheCrisafulli Government is building Queensland's future after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government will turn the sod at Gracemere's new high school today, delivering for the fast-growing community and marking a major milestone in the $100 million election commitment.
Stage 1 of the new school is scheduled to open in Term 1 2028 for students in Years 7 and 8 initially and will grow to accommodate around 1000 students from Years 7 to 12 and 100 staff.
The first stage includes 16 general classrooms, nine specialist learning areasincluding science, food studies and junior industrial technology, administration facilities, covered areas, outdoor multi-purpose courts, an oval, a carparkand a pick-up and drop-off zone.
The Crisafulli Government is building Queensland's future, after theformer Labor Governmentfailed toplan for Gracemere's growing populationand ignored calls from the community for a new school for a decade.
As a result ofLabor'sdecade of decline, a maintenance repair bill of more than $440 million isrequiredfor stateschoolsassets reaching end of life, while behaviouralissues, bullying and occupational violence skyrocketed in Queensland classrooms.
The Crisafulli Government's $23.1 billion Education Budget is delivering 22 new schools including nine special schools to cater for Queensland's growingpopulation,to provide choice to parents and to make sure studentshave the opportunity toreach their potential.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Gracemere community deserved access to a quality education.
"We are delivering on our promiseto build a secondary school for Gracemere to provide local families with a world-class education closer to home," Minister Langbroek said.
"The new school is being built on the corner of Johnson Road and Lucas Street and will provide a quicker and easier school run for families and support students to walk or ride to school.
"The Crisafulli Government is investing a record $2.3 billion to build 22 new schools for Queensland's growing communities to ensure students catch up, keepupand stay in school.
"Turning the sod marks a major milestone for the new high school and for the Gracemere community who have called for this for 10 years.
"We will continue to fix the mess we inherited from Labor by tackling behavioural issues, bullying and occupational violence with the $45 million behaviour boost, a nation-leading anti-bullying plan and by delivering almost 170 Workplace Health and Safety Officers."
Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland said the growing region had significantly increased.
"Not only has the community of Gracemere been calling out for a high school over the past decade, but the new high school will support the growing needs of the Gracemere and Rockhampton region," Mrs Kirkland said.
"Families in my electorate deserve better facilities and I'm proud to join Minister Langbroek to break ground on this transformational project."
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:Kate Rogers,0426 414 298
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
