Land-locked city school allowed to expand into street
Vacant land in New Farm is rare and expensive, so the local state school had to be creative in its building plans.
An artist's impression of the New Farm State School expansion on land formerly known as Hawthorne Street.
The Palaszczuk Government has formally resumed the end of Hawthorne Street to allow New Farm State School to keep growing. It had previously purchased neighbouring residential properties, and has consulted on expansion plans since 2019.
The street had extended to a cul-de-sac in the middle of the school but was blocked off ahead of summer holidays. Its permanent closure will now give the school another 1372sq m of space for a new learning centre and administration building and new junior play spaces.
An education department spokesman said the nature of the development, under the Building Future Schools program, would also minimise the impact on the school’s Little Farm.
Locals had rallied to save Little Farm, petitioning the government to consider all options for development.
“Community input has influenced the master plan and design of the expansion project to balance the preservation of Little Farm and green space with the need to deliver new learning facilities for the school,” the spokesman said.
“Disability Discrimination Act compliant walkways will be installed between the new learning centre, the school oval and Little Farm. These walkways will ensure better accessibility and connectivity for all students including those with mobility needs.”
The closure of the cul-de-sac will also allow for a new entry point to be built, with improved drop-off facilities along Annie Street.
The spokesman said work would be completed in time for the 2022 school year.
Hawthorne Street previously ended with a cul-de-sac in New Farm State School. (Photo: Google Street View)
