- Outcome of community consultation announced today
- A new state of the art standalone East Brisbane State School will be built on the nearby Coorparoo Secondary College site
- More than $100 million to be invested, facilities will include a swimming pool
- New school buildings ready by 2026
- East Brisbane State School name remains
Following extensive community consultation, East Brisbane State School will be relocated as a standalone school, with new state of the art facilities - including a swimming pool – on the grounds of Coorparoo Secondary College.
The underutilised 11-hectare college site is a short distance away, has extensive green space, safe drop off zones, and capacity for the expected future growth in the EBSS community. The current constrained 1.5-hectare site is bordered by three main roads, has limited access to green space, and limited capacity to expand.
In February this year it was announced EBSS cannot remain at its current site beyond December 2025 due to the major revitalisation and redevelopment of Woolloongabba and The Gabba stadium, which will include an active corridor to South Bank and the CBD as well as social and affordable housing. Any heritage listed buildings will remain and will be incorporated into the redevelopment.
Current Years 4, 5, and 6 students will finish their studies at the existing site and younger students will move to the new site.
The Department of Education consulted on three options: a standalone primary school at the Coorparoo site, a P-Y12 school at the Coorparoo site, or students to enrol at other schools in the local area. Around 600 online submissions, paper surveys, and emails were received, with over 350 community members and staff attending in person sessions.
The possibility of building the school on other sites was raised during consultation. However, alternative sites were either too small, would not be ready in time for 2026, or would require compulsory acquisition of multiple local homes and businesses – something that is only possible as a last resort and when no other suitable site is available.
The Department of Education will now work closely with the school community on next steps, including detailed planning, design development, and proposed changes to catchment areas. Any catchment changes will not affect existing students or their siblings.
The Department will also engage with both Coorparoo Secondary College and the Brisbane School of Distance Education and work through the detailed planning required to enable East Brisbane State School's relocation.
Quotes attributable to Education Minister Grace Grace:
"East Brisbane State School is going to get brand new, state of the art standalone primary school buildings that are surrounded by green space, close to the existing school site, and plenty of room for them to grow.
"We're going to invest more than $100 million in new facilities.
"During the consultation the community made it clear that they want safe and convenient active travel routes to be developed, to explore incorporating artefacts and memorabilia in the designs of the new buildings, and to ensure transport options to coincide with Outside School Hours Care hours of operation.
"We will be working closely with the school community to deliver all these things and more, and I look forward to seeing the final designs being developed.
"Our commitment to ongoing consultation remains: I have already met with the EBSS Principal, just as I did on the day the announcement about The Gabba was made.
"I have met with the P&C four times already and will be meeting them again tomorrow.
"There will be several in person and online opportunities for the school community to shape the future of the school in the coming months."
