Seven new schools will be built in south-east Queensland through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Premier Anna Bligh says the Governemnt will seek expressions of interest from the private sector in building and maintaining the package of new schools in the Sunshine Coast, Western Corridor and Redlands areas. These areas were chosen on future population projects and are key growth areas in the south east corner, she says.

Work will start early next year with four schools set to have students in the door from the start of the 2010. The remaining three schools will be open to students in 2011.

“The private sector will be engaged to build, maintain and manage the schools and all education services will be provided by the State," Ms Bligh says.

The private sector will take responsibility for the construction and on-going maintenance of the schools over a concession period of about 30 years.  The scope of the on-going tasks to be undertaken by the private sector includes building repairs, cleaning, janitorial duties, grounds keeping and security.

Ms Bligh says by giving responsibility for these services to the private sector, the schools’ principal and educational staff will be able to focus on education outcomes.

Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford, says the initiative will build on the success of the first educational PPP, which delivered the award-winning Southbank Education and Training Precinct.

“The Southbank PPP, which last year was judged the ‘Best Global Project’ in the international Public Private Finance Awards, has given us significant experience in developing educational PPP projects,” Mr Welford says.
“We also investigated the New South Wales New Schools PPP projects which deliver significant value for money for the Government and the community.”

The Government will seek expressions of interest from the private sector this month (February).

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