Tarragindi will soon have a new Catholic primary school, scheduled to open in 2026.
The development application, submitted to the Brisbane City Council on 27 August, proposes a primary school on the existing St John Fisher Catholic Church grounds at 17 Messines Ridge Road.
The plans, drafted by Mewing Planning Consultants, suggest repurposing the existing church hall and chapel and building two single-storey buildings. The school is designed to accommodate up to 95 students and eight full-time staff, and the project will be rolled out in two phases.
The initial phase involves refurbishing part of the chapel for administration and the church hall for classrooms. A new 144-sqm building will house additional classrooms, an outdoor learning area, and a playground. The second phase will see another 266-sqm building with flexible learning spaces. The project is expected to be completed in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
The design prioritises the retention of existing structures and ample open space. New buildings, parking, and the playground are strategically positioned towards the street, away from residential boundaries. The plan also incorporates landscaping, and acoustic fencing to mitigate visual and noise impacts on neighbouring properties.
Although 24 parking spaces are included, exceeding council requirements, traffic concerns still need to be raised. The school’s operating hours will overlap with the church’s Wednesday mass, potentially increasing traffic congestion. While a traffic assessment indicates that key intersections can handle the additional traffic, residents remain apprehensive.
Several objections have already been lodged, citing concerns about increased traffic and the area’s frequent park-and-ride use due to its proximity to the Holland Park West station. Residents fear that the added traffic from the school will exacerbate existing congestion, especially on Pozieres Road, a key route to the M3.
Founding principal Kenneth Crowther assures that the development aligns with the site’s zoning and has undergone thorough planning. He emphasises the school’s commitment to a design compatible with the local context, including single-storey buildings. Despite the worries, Crowther finds encouragement in the positive response from parents looking to enroll their children.
The school intends to commence in 2026 with classes from preparatory to Year Three. It plans to expand into a full P-12 school with separate Primary and Secondary campuses. The development application is currently under review by the Brisbane City Council.
Published Date 10-September-2024