Construction of first Queensland schools package underway

BURPENGARY, QUEENSLAND – Construction has officially started on the first high school being delivered by Plenary Schools as part of the Queensland Schools Project.

Plenary Schools hosted the project’s second sod turn last week at the site of the new Burpengary State High School on Pitt Road. State Member for Kallangur, Trevor Ruthenberg was there to mark the occasion.

Plenary Group Director, Ray Wilson said the sod turn at Burpengary marked the commencement of work on the project’s first package of schools, which also includes a primary school at Pimpama.

“We’re pleased to see that construction has now started on the first two schools that will be delivered for the people and families of Queensland as part of the Queensland Schools Project,” Mr Wilson said.

The Queensland Schools Project is being delivered as a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Plenary Schools consortium and the Queensland Government. Plenary Schools will design, construct, partly finance and maintain 10 schools across South

East Queensland. The project has a whole of life value of $1.517 billion over the 30 year PPP concession.

Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the sod turnings marked the beginning of an exciting five-year construction project to build ten schools in population growth spots, for more than 10,000 students, 500 teachers and 130non-teaching staff.

“The Newman Government is working with Plenary to deliver the school facilities our communities desperately need, while saving hardworking Queenslanders’ taxpayer dollars and creating around 1700 jobs annually,” Mr Langbroek said.

“By providing this vital infrastructure in some of the state’s fastest growing regions, we’re helping to secure the future of education in Queensland.”

Two sod turning ceremonies in one week marked the commencement of construction of the first two schools.

“It made for a very exciting time at Plenary and it’s pleasing to see our building partner Watpac has hit the ground running at both sites,” Mr Wilson said.

The new school at Burpengary, which spans an area of 12.5 hectares, has been designed as a ‘learning neighbourhood’, with classrooms and school facilities purposefully grouped to enhance learning and accommodate future growth in student numbers.

It will also feature environmental design initiatives including reticulated storm water, and natural and energy-efficient lighting.

Mr Wilson said the high school at Burpengary and the primary school 90km south at Pimpama will both be open for the 2015 academic year.  Stage two of both schools will be completed by 2017.

Work will start on the second package of schools in October this year.

Watpac Chief Executive Officer, Martin Monro, said construction of the new Burpengary State High School would create between 100 and 200 full-time equivalent jobs, both on site and indirectly.

“The bulk earthworks phase of the project is scheduled for completion in July, after which the construction of the new school will begin in earnest,” Mr Monro said.

“During the height of the construction program the workforce is expected to peak at between 150 - 200 people.”

The Queensland Schools Project will also see new schools delivered at Pallara, Ripley Valley, Springfield, Griffin, Bellbird Park, Caboolture and Redbank Plains. The package of two secondary and eight primary schools will cater for around 10,000 students during peak periods of enrolment.

Executive Director, Communications
+61 3 8888 7754
+61 418 530 806
chris.whitefield@plenary.com