After a two-decade campaign by the local community, Gracemere – near Rockhampton – will finally get its own secondary school, with the Queensland Government approving a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation for the long-awaited project.
The government’s decision clears the way for construction of the new Gracemere Secondary School, with tenders now open and on-site works scheduled to begin in mid-2026. Once complete, the school will cater for up to 1,500 students and 120 staff, providing the first local secondary schooling option for families in the growing community.
Member for Rockhampton Ms Donna Kirkland said the approval marked the end of a “relentless 20-year fight” by the Gracemere community for its first high school.
“For families in Gracemere and across our community, this new school will mean greater choice, better facilities, and educational opportunities that reflect the needs of a growing region,” Ms Kirkland said. “Our community was overlooked for too long, despite strong population growth and repeated calls for a local secondary school.”
The new school will be built on government-owned land at the corner of Johnson Road and Lucas Street and delivered in two stages. Stage one will provide facilities for Years 7 and 8, with stage two expanding the campus into a full Year 7–12 secondary school.
The government said the project responds to sustained population growth in the area, which has increased by almost 25 per cent, and addresses long-standing concerns about access to local secondary education.
Minister for Education Mr John-Paul Langbroek said the approval delivers on a key election commitment and forms part of a broader plan to strengthen education infrastructure across Queensland.
“We promised a new high school in Gracemere and we’re delivering it,” Minister Langbroek said. “All Queenslanders deserve access to a world-class education system, and this new high school is part of our plan to ensure students, no matter where they live, benefit from modern education facilities.”
The government has already committed $10 million to early site works, detailed costings and development of a master plan for the project, with the investment expected to support regional jobs and economic activity.
The Gracemere Secondary School is part of a wider $1.09 billion investment to deliver 15 new schools in Queensland’s fastest-growing communities. The commitment sits within the state’s $21.9 billion education budget, which also includes new primary schools and six new special schools.
Ms Kirkland said the approval was a clear signal that the region’s needs are finally being recognised.
“Investing in new schools like this is about investing in our future,” she said. “It shows our region matters and that the government is serious about delivering for students, teachers and communities who have waited far too long.”
