Monday, July 20, 2020
Planning for a new state high school west of the M1 will begin under an LNP Government as part of Deb Frecklington’s plan to Get Queensland Working Again.
Ms Frecklington today announced an LNP Government would secure the land required and begin design of the new school to support families in the Gaven and Mudgeeraba electorates.
“An LNP Government will invest for growth and lay the groundwork for a new state high school to support high-quality education and help local kids get the best start in life,” Ms Frecklington said.
“This significant investment in education will also create local jobs during construction and long-term secure jobs when the school opens.
“This new state high school is part of a pipeline of LNP infrastructure projects on the Gold Coast that will create employment opportunities and get Queensland working again.
“This growing region needs jobs and it needs world-class education infrastructure and the LNP will deliver both.
“High schools at Nerang and Pacific Pines are both facing surging enrolment numbers.
“The LNP’s plan for a third school in this corridor will ease pressure on teachers and staff at existing schools, delivering better education outcomes for kids.”
Ms Frecklington said the new secondary school was part of the LNP’s plan to stimulate the economy and create a decade of secure jobs to drag Queensland out of the recession.
“Our vision is to make Queensland Australia’s economic powerhouse again; the best place to live, get a job and raise a family,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government can’t deliver major education projects like this on the northern Gold Coast because they have no economic plan.
“The foundations of the LNP’s plan for a stronger economy and secure jobs are investing for growth, unleashing Queensland industry and supercharging the regions.
“Planning this new high school is on top of the LNP’s plan to fast-track construction of the congestion-busting Second M1.
“Our bold plans to build the second M1, slash elective surgery wait times and improve education results will secure Queensland’s future for the next generation.”
Enrolments at Pacific Pines State High School great 6.14 per cent in 2019 to hit 1573 students, with a projected student population of 2286 by 2024. It has a maximum student enrolment capacity of 1,645 students.
LNP Candidate for Gaven Kirsten Jackson said the new secondary school would be an education game-changer for the community.
“The population is growing rapidly in Gaven and many young families are choosing to call this region home,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Nerang and Pacific Pines are already nudging their capacity, but the community continues to grow rapidly around them.
“A new housing development has been approved for Worongary, which could be home for up to 12,000 people in a development as large as Varsity Lakes.
“The LNP will plan for future growth by getting this new high school in the region shovel-ready.
“We will get the right infrastructure in the right place for this community.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has failed to plan for the infrastructure needs of this growing region and we’re paying the price with more congestion, overcrowded schools and long surgery wait lists.
“Gaven can’t afford another four years of falling behind under Labor.
LNP MP for Mudgeeraba Ros Bates said she had campaigned for a new state high school west of the M1 since 2006.
“There is an economic argument for a new state high school to service the western growth corridor in both the Gaven and Mudgeeraba electorates,” Ms Bates said.
“There is no state high school west of the M1 between Nerang and Elanora.
“Robina State High School is at capacity and is land locked for any future development.
“Labor have long neglected the western corridor of the Gold Coast and I welcome this an announcement.”
