Cool it, school work coming

WORRIED parents of northern Gold Coast students have told their MP they fear the rollout of airconditioning in schools will not occur before the hot days of summer.

Theodore MP Mark Boothman has asked Education Minister Grace Grace to outline installation dates for Helensvale State High School, Upper Coomera State College, and Park Lake, Gaven, Oxenford and Highland Reserve state schools.

Ms Grace said the government had announced $477 million under the Cooler Cleaner Schools Program to aircondition schools and expand the Advancing Clean Energy Schools program.

“The CCSP will ensure Queensland state school classrooms, libraries and staffrooms are airconditioned by the end of June 2022, delivering more comfortable teaching and learning environments,” she said.

“Under this program, some 650 state schools will benefit from airconditioning installations, making an additional 10,000 classrooms cooler and more comfortable.”

Eight schools in the Theodore electorate will receive airconditioning.

“The contract to install airconditioning at Coomera State School was awarded on May 15, 2020,” Ms Grace said.

“The tender phase for the remaining state schools in the Theodore electorate is under way. Forecast completion dates are not available until this process is completed …

“The timing of airconditioning installations will vary from school to school, depending on procurement requirements and the scale of associated works such as electrical upgrades.”

Mr Boothman said of the minister’s response: “It’s answering a question without answering a question.”

He said many school communities, that had raised funds over years and installed airconditioning units in classrooms were concerned about whether parent associations would fund their upkeep.

“In some schools, they are running behind on maintenance budgets for other areas, things like replacing toilet fittings, handles and basins, and chairs to sit on,” he said.

Ms Grace said the department would replace older airconditioning units beginning to malfunction.

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said only Labor had a budgeted plan to roll out airconditioning on the Coast and during the pandemic to keep contractors in work.

“We’ve brought forward the start date of the Cooler Cleaner Schools Program from July 1,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Already three schools on the Gold Coast have every classroom, library and staffroom airconditioned, with work under way at another 14.

“A further 43 schools are currently at the design stage.”

UNDER THIS PROGRAM, SOME 650 STATE SCHOOLS WILL BENEFIT FROM AIRCONDITIONING INSTALLATIONS

EDUCATION MINISTER GRACE GRACE