MP Welcomes New STEM Block at Blackwater High

FAST FACTS:

• Blackwater State High School Receives New Manual Arts Block
• Gregory Schools Receive $8.9 Mill of School “Tradies Bonanza”
• Local MP says most is for scheduled maintenance

Local MP Lachlan Millar has welcomed the official completion of a new $4.2 million manual arts block at Blackwater State High School.

“I understand the building has been officially handed over and during the September holidays, the engineering, junior workshops, computer room and staff room will be transferred over from the old building.

“The old building will then be demolished. The building was subsiding badly and I was concerned it was not only sub-standard, but actually becoming dangerous,” said Mr Millar.

“I was pleased to advocate strongly for this and receive such a positive outcome for students and staff.

“Blackwater is a key mining centre in the Bowen Basin and it isn’t surprising that many students want to follow careers in that industry. It is vital they have access to studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics so they can pursue those pathways.

“This building will ensure they have the latest resources at their fingertips.”

However, Mr Millar said he was surprised that the $4.2 million building had been counted as part of the $200 million “tradies bonanza” announced by the Premier in the Queensland Parliament last week.

“That announcement was about helping Queensland tradies recover from the impact of COVID19 restrictions, but this building is officially complete,” he said.

Mr Millar said a further $ 4,324,000 of funding was allocated to Gregory state schools as part of the “tradies’ bonanza” but that none of the projects was as significant as the new learning block for Blackwater State Highschool.

“These funds are very welcome, but with 44 state schools in the Gregory electorate, by the time you pay for labour and materials, much of it will be maintenance works that would be part of the normal requirement to maintain government assets,” he said.

“Having said that, I know that the school communities who receive these refurbishments desperately need them.”

Mr Millar said some of the projects specified in the funding include:

Rolleston State School - $350,000 for an Outdoor Covered Learning Area
Jundah State School – $150,000 to refurbish the Administration Area
Capella State School – $450,000 to refurbish Block A
Capella State School - $350,000 to refurbish Block C
Bedourie State School - $650,000 to refurbish Block A
Woorabinda State School - $400,000 to Block C and play areas
Emerald State High School - $467,000 refurbish sports courts

“The remaining money in the announcement for Gregory has just been labelled maintenance and minor works,” he said.

ENDS