Mount Low in line for school

STATE Government officials have revealed they are in negotiations to buy a site for a new high school to be built at Mount Low.

The project would be the fifth school development in the booming Northern Beaches announced in recent years.

Education Minister Kate Jones announced in 2015 a $ 90 million package for the delivery of the $ 50 million state primary school in Burdell – now under construction – as well as the planning and stage one of a new secondary school in Townsville as part of the 2015- 16 budget process.

The Bulletin can reveal the high school will be in Mount Low, but the Department of Education and Training ( DET) is tight- lipped on its exact location and when it would open.

“Mount Low was identified as requiring a secondary school due to growth in the northern Townsville area,” a DET spokesman said.

The Bulletin understands the State Government may be in talks with one of the area’s key land development groups.

Maidment Development Group’s Sanctum is the biggest masterplanned development at Mount Low, and surrounds North Beach and Bushland Grove. Stockland’s North Shore masterplan also borders Mount Low.

Hinchinbrook MP Andrew Cripps said while he was pleased to see the State Government moving forward with a new high school in Mount Low, he was yet to see a budget allocation to purchase land or construct the facility. He said Bohlevale and Bluewater State schools already had large enrolment numbers under management plans so careful planning for new facilities in the area was crucial.

Work has started on $ 9.5 million St Benedict’s Catholic school. More than 60 families have shown an interest so far with the school aiming for 100- 120 children for 2018.

Townsville Catholic Education has previously told the Bulletin the addition of a high school to St Clare’s Catholic School at Burdell would also be triggered by the demand for Prep positions in the new school.