Much needed repairs are being fast-tracked for Queensland schools in the Metro South and South East areas, which were damaged during the severe storms and heavy rains between December 2023 and January 2024.
Queensland Minister for Education, Di Farmer, who visited storm-damaged Helensvale State School on the Gold Coast, said that the Queensland Government is aiming to have all state schools ready for the start of the school year on 22 January.
The Helensvale State School was one of 35 schools damaged across the department’s Metro South and South East regions. A further 95 schools in Far North Queensland suffered damage as a result of Cyclone Jasper and its aftermath.
Helensvale State School is one of two on the Gold Coast to suffer serious damage, with a tree impacting a classroom in a two-storey learning building.
At Coomera State School, where a tree damaged a two-space prep building, a structural report will determine next steps.
Ms Farmer said that while the damaged building at Helensvale State School won’t be available for approximately the first three weeks of the school year, it has sufficient capacity to accommodate all students for the start of school.
“Likewise, Coomera State School has sufficient capacity to accommodate all students without use of the damaged prep building,” Ms Farmer said.
“I want to thank departmental regional office staff in Far North Queensland and South East Queensland along with our Infrastructure Services Division, the State Government’s QBuild, school communities and volunteers for their great work to make sure all kids get a good start to the school year.”
