State High School South West of Toowoomba

Eligibility - Queensland citizens
Principal Petitioner:
Patrick Weir MP
129 Cunningham Street
DALBY QLD 4405
Total Signatures - 1,002
Sponsoring Member: The Clerk of the Parliament
Posting Date: 15/2/2018
Closing Date: 11/5/2018
Tabled Date: 15/5/2018
Responded By: Hon Grace Grace MP on 14/6/2018
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House that areas to the South West of Toowoomba are experiencing significant population growth and High Schools in the catchment areas of Harristown and Centenary Heights are nearing capacity.

Census Data shows that the Westbrook/Drayton area had an enumerated population of 3861 in 2011 and a dwelling count of 1331. In 2016 the enumerated population has grown to 4505 with an increase in dwellings to 1605. The average household size in Westbrook/Drayton area is 3.04 which would indicate households with families.

The Queensland Education website states that Centenary Heights State High School has an enrolment capacity of 1560 while Harristown State High School has an enrolment capacity of 1703. In 2011, 1192 students were enrolled at Centenary Heights and 1477 at Harristown. In 2016, there has been an increase in enrolments with 1569 students at Centenary Heights and 1652 at Harristown meaning both schools have experienced significant growth.

The Queensland Treasury Office of Economic and Statistical Research population projections from 2011 states that in the Toowoomba Statistical District there was a population of 121,861 with a projected figure of 161,005 in 2021 and 199,247 in 2031.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call on the State Government of Queensland to investigate a business model for a High School in the South West area of Toowoomba that will accommodate these growth areas and reduce the pressure on Harristown and Centenary Heights High Schools which are reaching capacity.