Principals give PPP schools tick of approval
April 2009
Welcome news ... the first schools public private partnership will establish seven new schools in south-east Queensland.
The state's largest principals' association has welcomed the Queensland Government's first schools public private partnership, which will establish seven new schools in south-east Queensland.
Under the $1.1 billion SEQ Public Private Partnership (PPP) Schools project, Aspire Schools' consortium will design, build and maintain six new primary schools and one new high school in the rapidly growing Sunshine Coast, Western Corridor, Gold Coast and Redlands regions.
Queensland Association of State School Principals president Norm Hart said the arrangement would not only help meet strong enrolment growth in each region but enable school leaders to focus on education issues.
'Once the schools are built, school leaders will be able to focus on curriculum leadership while Aspire will focus on facilities and maintenance,' Mr Hart said.
'The education of students in these high-growth areas will benefit.'
Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson said construction would begin shortly on Prep to Year 7 primary schools at Thornlands South in Brisbane and Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast.
'These schools are due to open in January 2010, with accommodation for up to 370 students each, Mr Wilson said.
'Three more Prep to Year 7 schools - at Bellbird Park and Collingwood Park in Ipswich and in East Coomera - will open their doors in 2011, while a new primary school at Bundilla and a new Year 7 to 12 high school at Murrumba Downs will be ready by 2012.
'All seven schools will have modern, world-class facilities and will be built in two stages, with energy efficiency measures that will achieve a four-star Greenstar rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.'
The PPP School project builds on the award-winning Southbank Institute of Technology redevelopment which set new standards for education and training facilities around the world.
Mr Wilson said Aspire Schools would have responsibility for issues including maintenance, cleaning, grounds keeping and security, while the Department of Education and Training would maintain responsibility for core school and education services.
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