Tag: Inner City Secondary Schools

Proposed Site for New Inner South Gets Low Mark from Locals

A group of inner south locals are not happy about the possibility of constructing the new inner city south high school at Dutton Park.

The Ecosciences Precinct in Dutton Park is the State Government’s preferred site for the much awaited secondary school promised for residents of the Brisbane’s inner south. However, some residents are opposing the idea.

Read: New Dutton Park School to Help Address School Overcrowding in Inner City

Petition

A newly formed group, the Inner South Education Coalition (ISEC), is one group that is actively opposing the possible selection of the Dutton Park site. In their Change.org petition, they enumerated several issues should the Dutton Park site be chosen. One is the access and safety of children coming to and from the school. There is also concern about the insufficient access to green space as well as the lack of relief for Brisbane State High School enrolments.

The group believes that should the school be built in Dutton Park, then students would be travelling from West End and South Brisbane along dangerous main transport arteries of Annerley Road, Dornoch Terrace and Gladstone Road.

Proximity is another issue. In 2021 when the new school opens, there would be more than 1,700 students living within 1 km active travel zone of the two other sites being considered, Kurilpa and Davies Park. In contrast, the Dutton Park site would be 1 km away to only about 480 students.

Based on statistical data, the group thinks that five years after the new school opens, there would be some 1,500 students within catchment boundaries who will not have access to a public high school in 2026.

Better Alternative

The Queensland Government is choosing among Dutton Park, Kurilpa Point and Davies Park to build the new school. For the state government, the Dutton Park site provides the best option considering land ownership, cost, site constraints and impacts, access to transport and partnership opportunities.

For the ISEC, the Davies Park site provides a better opportunity for a larger new high school that can keep up with population growth. The site also provides safe active travel options and better access to mass transport.

The group believes that the site would be a better investment as it would be in an area where it is most needed, based on population projections.

Read: West End State School to be Expanded, Two New Schools Opening in Inner City

Read:  West End Apartment Boom Causing Public School Overcrowding

Community Consultation

The state government is still in the process of consulting the community about the site for the new school. Some consultation sessions have been completed. But those who wish to send their feedback can do so by completing the feedback form or by sending an email to BuildingFutureSchools@qed.qld.gov.au.

Residents have until Monday 30 April 2018 to send their feedback.

New Dutton Park School to Help Address School Overcrowding in Inner City

The Dutton Park Ecosciences Precinct has been selected as the site for a new high school, which has been planned to address the growing demand in Brisbane’s inner-south.

Back in 2017, the Queensland Government promised to build two new secondary schools for the inner city as well as expand West End State School. One of the two new schools will be built on Brookes Street in Fortitude Valley to service the inner-north communities. The project is currently in the planning stages and the school is expected to open in 2020.

Read: West End State School to be Expanded, Two New Schools Opening in Inner City

Inner-South School

It took some months for the government to determine the site for the new inner-south school. Initially, they explored the possibilities of Davies Park, Kurilpa Point and Dutton Park for the planned high school.

In the end, Dutton Park proved to be the ideal area for the new school.

The Ecosciences Precinct’s access to existing and future transport networks is one of the reasons why it was seen as the ideal location. It also helped that the government’s partner in the school project, The University of Queensland is also easily accessible via the Eleanor Schonell Bridge. Proximity to UQ will help maximise opportunities for the students to access the university’s resources.

The site, which sits on state-owned land, was also chosen because of its close connection to health sciences precincts and hospital and its capacity to support urban growth and development.

Population Growth Response

The building of the new schools is a response of the government to the growing population in the inner-city.

“As a local parent, I have witnessed first-hand the significant population growth in the inner-south and the corresponding impact on local school populations, like Brisbane State High, which is the largest secondary school across the nation,” said Deputy Premier and Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad.

“That’s why I have fought hard, on behalf of my local community, to secure a new school for the inner-south because I know it is the number one issue for our community, Ms Trad said.

Locals within inner-city Brisbane have expressed dismay at the lack of foresight in planning for schools in the area. Recent reports have indicated overcrowding in schools as a result of more families moving to apartments near Brisbane CBD.

Read:  West End Apartment Boom Causing Public School Overcrowding

Read:  How the Apartment Industry in West End is Causing Problems for Schools

Future of Inner-City Schools

The new Dutton Park school is expected to open for Year 7 students from the start of 2021. UQ will be actively participating in developing innovative education for the Years 7-12 in the secondary school.

The Queensland Government will seek community feedback on the project. There will be school and community information sessions in February and March 2018.

The construction of the new high schools is part of the government’s $800-million Building Future Schools program.

Get updates on the Building Future Schools program.