Growing communities in Yarrabilba, Coomera and Caloundra South will each receive a brand new school by 2019.
Visiting the $4.5 billion Yarrabilba development this morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said each school would cater for around 1,000 students and was a clear indication of the Government’s priorities when it came to education.
“These three schools are in high growth corridors, with tens of thousands of new residents expected in each community in the coming decades, and are estimated to cost around $147 million.
“When combined with other new schools in Townsville, Calliope and Cairns, it brings our investment in brand new schools to $312 million, supporting over 900 jobs.
“And it comes on top of the 290 extra teachers this year, part of our election commitment to deliver 2,500 new teachers over three years, including 875 over and above growth.”
Member for Logan Linus Power said the new school at Yarrabilba was crucial for such a high-growth region.
“The population at Yarrabilba is expected to have a population of 40,000 people by 2021 and nearby schools are already at 94% capacity,” he said.
“It’s important that a new school is built to cater for the growing population so students can be best prepared for the future.”
Education Minister Kate Jones said the project would go to tender along with new schools announced for Caloundra South and Coomera as part of a joint procurement package.
“Packaging the school construction in this way will ensure we can drive efficiencies across all phases of delivery and the Government has ensured that the use of local labour will be prioritised,” Ms Jones said.
“Under the Government’s apprentice guarantee, 10% of employees working on a project must be apprentices or trainees.
“This means younger Queenslanders can benefit more from Government investment in infrastructure.”
Original Publish: http://mysunshinecoast.com.au/
