It all forms part of an overall $220 million investment across Queensland, improving school facilities and supporting more than 720 jobs.
What Gold Coast schools are set to receive
Schools across the Gold Coast will share in nearly $24 million worth of new projects, minor works and upgrades thanks to a funding boost from the Palaszczuk Government. Several state schools will be boosted from this funding, supporting local jobs during the economic recovery from COVID-19.
Outdoor learning areas, amenity blocks, tuckshops, tennis courts and shade structure installations are among the newly announced Gold Coast projects.
Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said she was pleased to see more than $1 million of this new funding going towards schools in her electorate. “This funding is welcome news for these local communities but also for local tradies who can tender for these projects,” she said. “I’m particularly excited to see funding going towards upgrading the amenities at Nerang State High School making them more comfortable for students.”
Sunshine Coast school refurb funding
Mountain Creek State School will receive $600k to refurbish classrooms and replace roofing, while Caloundra State High School is set to install new security fencing with $950k.
Elsewhere, Stage 2 expansions were approved at Ripley Valley, Yarrabilba, Foxwell and Mango Hill State Secondary Colleges, Lee Street State Special School as well as Ripley Valley and West End State Schools. Minister Grace said this represents the next phase of development following their opening at the start of this 2020 school year.
Government opened eight new state schools for the 2020 school year, the highest number in more than 30 years, creating more than 4800 jobs across the state.
“We always encourage our schools to engage local tradespeople to complete maintenance works and smaller jobs in schools.
“Interested tradies and contractors should contact the Business manager in schools located in their local area.
The funding boost is on top of the more than $100 million being invested in the region to deliver much needed facilities such as additional classrooms, refurbishments, as well as a brand-new primary school in Pimpama and a new special school in Coomera.
By investing in new and upgraded school infrastructure it not only provides world-class education facilities for Queensland students.
Ms Grace said the programs across Queensland state schools were playing their role in stimulating the economy. “These programs also ensure there is a pipeline of work to support local jobs.”
Ms Grace said the Queensland Government was also supporting more jobs through the rollout of our $477 million Cooler Cleaner Schools Program.
In total, the Cooler Cleaner Schools Program will support more than 1,500 jobs between now and June 2022 when its due to be completed.
“Over 650 schools across Queensland will benefit from air conditioning installations, making some 10,000 classrooms cooler and more comfortable. The program will also provide an additional $71 million over 3 years to create a virtual solar farm on school rooftops that will be used to power these additional air conditioners across the state,” she said.
