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Maiwar desperately needs a new school to properly address overcrowding. And after years of campaigning, in July 2020 we finally received a commitment from the State government for a new primary school in the inner west. While the initial proposed opening date was in 2023, this has now been delayed as a site hasn’t yet been identified for the school. You can find out more about the locations previously considered here.
In late 2023 the State Government sought registrations of interest to identify options for the new school, including from developers and investors willing to work with the Government to provide land, help deliver new infrastructure or repurpose existing facilities. I'm sceptical of public-private partnerships for public education. But I really want to see progress on the new school, so I’m continuing to work with the Department to ensure it continues and that the process is transparent, consultative and delivers an outcome with strong community support.
Ideally, I’m pushing for a site near to where Taringa State School was (before being sold off in 1997), that’s close to the train station and other public transport links. I’ve discussed a few options with the department, including a smaller school at the Tricare site, a site next to the Taringa train station that could incorporate much-needed accessibility upgrades, or the former Woolies site in Toowong. If you have an idea for a new school site that’s big enough to allow buildings and play space, close to public transport, and doesn’t result in a loss of public green space, let me know via email at [email protected]. You can also directly email the project team with any questions or concerns at [email protected].
In my view, the Government should acquire private land, rather than repurposing existing public space.
In the meantime, I’ve also been able to secure upgrades to existing schools including Indooroopilly State School and Toowong State School, to improve capacity while we work on a new school.
New school quick links:
- My Letter to Minister Grace Grace regarding the need for better consultation - 24 Feb 2021
- My initial submission to the Building Future Schools team - 26 Feb 2021
- My letter to Minister Grace Grace raising concerns about the possibility of moving QASMT for the new school - 18 March 2021
- Some background information about other sites proposed by local residents
- Minister Grace's response to community petition opposing new school at ISHS - 7 April 2021
- My letter to Grace Grace seeking an update and meeting 7 May 2021
- The Education Department's Consultation Report - 28 May 2021
- More information about traffic issues around the Lambert Rd precinct
- My submission on 30 June 2021 to the Building Future Schools team on the two proposed sites
- My media statement on 16 December 2021 responding to the announcement of the new school site at Toowong.
- The Education Department's project page for the new inner west primary school
- My third submission to the Building Future Schools team - 6 May 2022
- New School Safe Streets Survey report - June 2022
- Alternatives sites considered for the new school