The new industrial design and technology facilities at Queensland’s Kepnock State High School have received a welcome funding boost, with an additional $12 million, bringing the total investment close to $22 million.
The additional investment is intended to guarantee that both senior and junior students can use the facilities at the same location rather than in different places, with the move made following site inspections and consultation with the school.
Thus, two existing buildings will be demolished following the completion of the new building, the government stated in a media release.
The good news was delivered to the school in Bundaberg today by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith, who also stopped by to see new artist renderings of the new structure.
According to Premier Palaszczuk, students will soon be able to take part in subjects and classes like engineering, manufacturing and construction, graphic design, ceramics and industrial design and using equipment like 3D and ceramic printers, welding, and wood and metal lathes.
“Queensland students deserve world-class education facilities no matter where they live in our great state and this new $22 million project will deliver that for Bundaberg students,” the premier said.
In addition to the aforementioned efforts, the project will also include three junior wood workshops, a junior metal workshop, a senior furniture workshop, and a senior engineering workshop, together with related specialty rooms, storage, amenities, and more parking.
Challenges facing the building industry are also taken into account in the funding, the government said.
“This investment is all part of our government’s $1.9 billion budget this year in education infrastructure across the state, supporting nearly 4,200, good, secure Queensland jobs,” Premier Palaszczuk remarked.
She added, “This is an incredible investment for Kepnock State High School’s community and I can’t wait to see how it looks when complete.”
Bundaberg member Tom Smith also commented on the recent funding boost, detailing how he had previously been a teacher a Kepnock State High School.
“I know first-hand just how much this new, purpose-built facility will meet the learning needs of students,” he said.
Smith added, “The Palaszczuk Government is committed to delivering world-class education facilities across all of Queensland, and this project is another example of investment into our local Bundaberg region.”
