Michael Berkman not surprised Maiwar schools are in new list of overcrowded schools
Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman:
“I’m not surprised that so many Maiwar schools have made this list.
“Rapid development and densification on the west side means enrolments are outstripping space in many of our local schools.
“In my last electorate-wide community survey, I asked local residents whether school overcrowding was an issue for them, and 44% said yes.*
“That’s incredibly significant when you remember not everyone has school-aged kids.
“It’s clear that the situation is really desperate in some schools - like Toowong SS, which recently had to erect demountables on the oval.
“Many kids and parents contacted my office about this at the time, really distraught that they’d have to give up their already limited play area.
“In Parliament I’ve been repeatedly drawing the government’s attention to this situation, and during Estimates this year they confirmed that an options analysis (including infill, more classrooms, or a new school) is currently underway.
“Since then, I’ve been meeting with Principals from all the local State schools to discuss their current catchments, capacity and future needs, so I can work with the Education Department to get some real, long-term solutions in place.
“We’re not going to stop growing, and the government can’t keep playing catch-up with temporary demountables and piecemeal expansions.
“I’m pushing to have some of the government’s recently announced funding for building new schools directed to the west side, alongside existing funding for new buildings.”
*Survey results here: https://www.michaelberkman.com.au/maiwar_matters_autumn_2019_community_survey_results