Two state politicians have launched a petition calling on the government to build a new high school in one of Logan’s fastest growing areas.
The Queensland government suggests a new school is not urgent, as surrounding ones haven’t yet reached capacity. Nevertheless, a business case is being developed.
Logan MP Linus Power and Jordan MP Charis Mullen in October last year promised to build a high school at Greenbank if their Labor government was re-elected.
Now in opposition, the two MPs want to show the LNP government, currently more that 200 days in the job, that the community desperately needs the school.
They say the Department of Education has already earmarked a block of land opposite Everleigh State School on Anderson Drive, and has even set asside the funding needed to build the school.
The block has not yet been purchased.
“It is something that we have been working on as a project for four years now,” Mr Power said.
“There is a fund that was set up for future schools.
“The money is there – we just want to make sure they [the government] do it.
“We want to signal to them that we’re not going to let this go.”
Schools in neighbouring communities, such as Park Ridge, are feeling “real pressure” as the population continues to boom, according to Mr Power.
Greenbank recorded more than 13 per cent population growth in 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics – the second highest growth in the city.
When asked why the previous Labor government didn’t built the school in the previous term, Mr Power said the education department “took a while” to choose a site for the school.
Originally, the new school was planned for a part of Flagstone that was not yet fully developed.
The Minister for Education, John-Paul Langbroek said: “It’s laughable Labor members would launch a petition knowing full well they failed to deliver on their own 2020 election commitment to acquire land for a new high school.”
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to building new schools in Queensland’s fastest growing areas to ensure all children receive a world-class education.”
According to the minister’s office, Park Ridge State High School currently has the capacity to accommodate enrolment growth.
The Department of Education conducts ongoing analysis of enrolment and demographic trends to support school planning and will continue to closely monitor population growth in the Greenbank area.
The department is currently developing a business case for a new Greenbank high school.
