A long-awaited change is soon to happen at West End State School (WESS).
After Christmas and during the holidays, demolition work will commence to make way for the expansion of West End State School.
Locals have long called for the expansion of the inner-city school. To realise this expansion, the State Government purchased the properties bounded by Horan, Ambleside and Vulture streets, just directly across the existing WESS campus.
While the properties on the expansion lot are being demolished, the planning and design team will work on the detailed design based on the master plan.
Addressing Enrolment Demand
WESS has seen strong enrolment growth in recent years. In that last 10 years, about 5,000 students have joined Queensland state schools in and around the inner city. The government expects to see over 3,000 new students moving into the Brisbane CBD area in the next five years.
At the moment, the West End school has more than 1,000 enrolled students. To accommodate additional enrolments, the government has chosen the Dutton Park Ecosciences Precinct as the site for the second inner-city south school. Another school is also being built in Fortitude Valley to address the enrolment demand in the inner north.
The project is part of the Queensland Government’s Building Future Schools Fund, which will inject over $800 million for new and growing communities.
Have Your Say on the Master Plan
The master plan calls for new school buildings on the purchased lot on Horan Street. These buildings will accommodate additional enrolments as well as specialised teaching spaces at WESS.
In general, the master plan will include the following key elements:
- Two general learning buildings
- Administration and resource hub
- Creative and performing arts
- Undercroft areas to provide covered space
- Additional open and green space
- Demolition of properties acquired for the expansion
- Possible closure of Horan Street between Ambleside and Vulture streets. These will be incorporated into the school grounds to provide additional outdoor space and ensuring student safety across the campus
- Designated pick up/drop off zones
The development will come in stages, with Stage 1 set for completion in 2020. Completion of the first stage will increase the school’s capacity from 952 to 1,350. Stage 2, which should be completed in 2022, will increase capacity to 1,500 students.
Public consultation regarding the master plan will be open until Thursday 3 January 2019.
Complete the feedback form to have your say on the WESS expansion master plan.
