July 13, 2020 - Council completes Innisfail State College drop off upgrade in time for school to return

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Published
13th July 2020

Students returning to Innisfail State College this week will experience a safer and more efficient drop off to school thanks to the timely completion of works conducted by Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC).

Innisfail State College’s new access and exit points were designed to support student and community safety due to the inadequacy of previous infrastructure, combined with the growth of the college enrolment.

CCRC Mayor Mark Nolan said the newly completed works include alterations to access roads and footpaths, new signage and reconfiguration of the school’s carpark.

“The safety of our community is Council’s highest priority and we’re pleased to know the new entry and access points to Innisfail State College are complete in time for school to return this week.

“This is a great example of collaboration between community, Council and State to deliver benefits to the Cassowary Coast.” Nolan said. 

The project was made possible thanks to $122,000 in funding from the Queensland Government’s School Transport Infrastructure Program – a result of collaborative advocacy by Shane Knuth MP with the Innisfail State College and Council.

Mr Knuth said it was great to see the completion of the long-awaited Innisfail State College drop off and pick up zone. 

“Parents and teachers have been lobbying for an upgrade for years,” Mr Knuth said. 

“I have seen first-hand the issues that the old drop off area was causing. I am pleased together we were able to secure the funding and that the works is now completed.” 

“The benefits of this will provide more safety to all users.”

Innisfail State College Principal Kate MacDonald said the previous layout wasn’t well configured to safely accommodate our school needs, and was compounded by a 70 percent increase in college student numbers since 2010.

“Now that we’re back at school it’s great to see how much safer and more efficient the new layout is and we’d like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped us to achieve this outcome.” Ms MacDonald said.

Photo: P&C President Les Moule, Innisfail State College Principal Kate MacDonald, Shane Knuth MP, Councillor Jeff Baines, Mayor Mark Nolan.