• Severe weather over the Christmas and New Year period has impacted the opening of a new school in Bellbird Park
• Enrolled students will attend Woogaroo Creek State School for the first few weeks of Term 1, as crews complete important construction works.
• Woogaroo Creek State School is close to the new Bellbird Park State School, and has the facilities needed to host additional students.

Minister for Education, Di Farmer today announced that the opening of the new Bellbird Park State School on Harris Street in Ipswich has been impacted by severe weather over the Christmas and New Years Period.

The site is currently heavily waterlogged, impacting the ability for construction crews to complete important final works to the outdoor play areas and fire egress ahead of the opening.

Students and staff will attend the nearby Woogaroo Creek State School in Augustine Heights until the Bellbird Park State School is ready to open. Transport between both schools will be provided to minimise impact on families and students.

Teaching and learning will begin as planned on Day 1, 22 January 2024.

The Department of Education is providing information about arrangements directly to staff, parents and caregivers and Departmental staff will continue working with contractors to have the school can open as soon as possible.

The new school is being delivered by ADCO Constructions and joins the new $75 million Scenic Shores State School at Redland Bay as one of two new state schools to be built for the 2024 school year.

Since coming into government in 2015, we have built 25 new schools and are committed to providing students with a world-class Queensland education, no matter where they live.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Di Farmer:

“We know that students and staff were very excited to begin the school year at the brand new Bellbird Park State School.

“Unfortunately, the weather events over the Christmas/New Year period have caused construction delays to outdoor areas so the school will not be ready to welcome students on Day 1.

“We look forward to welcoming students and staff to the Bellbird Park site as soon as we can accommodate student learning needs in a safe environment.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundamba, Lance McCallum:

“I’m committed to seeing Bellbird Park open as soon as it is safe to do so.

“I know our community was looking forward to the opening of Bellbird Park State School, so I’m disappointed that severe weather has had such a significant impact.

“I want to thank the Woogaroo Creek State School community for opening their doors to students from Day 1 and thank parents for their understanding.

“When complete Bellbird Bird Park will offer state of the art education facilities in our growing community, and I look forward to joining parents and students to celebrate that milestone soon.”

Background

168 students were enrolled to commence at Bellbird Park SS in Term 1.

Woogaroo Creek SS opened in 2023 and is 3.8 kilometres from Bellbird Park.

To minimise impact on families and students, it is intended to provide transport for students between Bellbird Park SS and Woogaroo Creek SS for the duration of the interim school.