Work is ramping up at nearly 70 schools across the state this holidays, injecting $192 million into the Queensland economy and supporting more than 570 jobs.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said like other economies around the world, Queensland’s had been hit by the global coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re continuing to manage the health response well and that means we can start delivering Queensland’s plan for recovery,” the Premier said.
“Our plan, Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs includes a $50 billion infrastructure guarantee.
“That means we can ensure there is a pipeline of work to support jobs.”
The Premier said while staff and students would be out of schools, tradies would be moving in.
“Today we’re seeing a $12 million sports hall being built which is supporting 36 jobs for this project alone,” the Premier said.
Education Minister Grace Grace said building new school infrastructure not only ensured Queensland students had world-class facilities to learn in, it also supported thousands of local jobs.
Ms Grace said since the start of the year more than 130 different school construction projects had been completed.
“This has ensured a pipeline of work has continued to flow throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
“On top of that we are building five new schools to be ready for the start of the 2021 school year worth $430 million.
“And the rollout of Cooler Cleaner Schools Program, worth $477 million, is continuing with more than 330 extra schools now air-conditioned and tens of thousands of extra solar panels installed atop school buildings.
“Here at Indooroopilly SHS every classroom, library and staff room is now air-conditioned and we have installed 303 solar panels to help offset the power usage at this school.
“As our communities continue to grow, it’s vital that our schools grow with them.”
