West End parents are pushing for part of the 7.1-hectare Montague Road Precinct to be reserved for a new public primary school as the riverfront site is considered for thousands of homes.
West End School Push Turns to Montague Road
West End State School families are calling for education planning to be included in the future of the Montague Road Precinct, a 7.1-hectare riverfront landholding near South Bank and West End.
The school’s P&C has asked for part of the precinct to be reserved for a second public primary school in Brisbane’s inner-south, citing current enrolment pressure and expected growth from nearby residential development.
The precinct is about 1.3km from the Brisbane CBD and includes about 400m of river frontage. It is being considered for more than 4,000 homes in a mixed-use area that may include hospitality, retail and public spaces.
The site remains in the early concept stage, with community consultation available and a preferred proponent selected.
Parents Point to West End Enrolments
Parents and students gathered outside West End State School on Monday morning with banners and placards as part of the campaign.
The P&C, which represents about 2700 parents, has pointed to enrolment pressure across the school catchment. It has cited catchment data indicating 94.1 per cent of local primary-school-aged children attend West End State School.
Using 2021 Census data, the P&C estimated that new developments could add another 700 to 800 students to the catchment. That figure includes growth linked to about 8000 apartments already approved.
The group has framed the request as a call for supporting infrastructure, rather than opposition to new housing in West End and nearby suburbs.
Photo Credit: Lendlease/Economic Development Queensland
Riverfront Precinct Includes Former Industrial Sites
The Montague Road Precinct includes the former Visy site, now publicly owned, and the recently closed milk factory site, which was sold by Lactalis to property developer Stockwell.
The former Visy site had previously been considered for use as a foreign press centre during the 2032 Olympic Games, before later being put forward as a development site open to private housing bids.
In late May, the Montague Road Precinct was named among four provisional priority development areas across Brisbane.
School Site Sought Before Further Growth
The West End State School P&C has argued that the precinct offers a chance to plan education infrastructure before further residential growth occurs across the peninsula.
The group has said a new primary school had previously been planned for Brisbane’s inner-west, but no site had been secured.
Parents and alumni from Brisbane State High School have also sought access to part of the Visy site to support that school.
An education spokesperson said West End State School had sufficient capacity, with strategies in place for existing and forecast enrolments in the short to medium term.
Published 26-June-2026
