Sir Joseph Banks High School upgrade

Work on the new buildings is expected to start in mid-2025. Once School Infrastructure appoints a contractor in early 2025, we will be able to provide an exact date.

The refurbishment works will be managed by a separate contractor from those overseeing the new buildings, allowing for concurrent progress whenever feasible. As we are working in an operational school, the refurbishment works will be done in stages, and in school holidays where possible, to minimise the impact on the school and ensure access to adequate classrooms for all faculties during the work. 

The tender for the refurbishment work to Block E (school library building) has been awarded to Jacks Millennium Services Pty Ltd who will be completing the work in the 2024 – 2025 summer school holidays. This includes repainting the library and mezzanine level and replacing the floor covering in the science lab. We will provide a timeline for refurbishment of Blocks B, C and F in 2025.

The final timeline and order for the completion of the upgrades at Sir Joseph Banks High School is subject to approvals, the appointment of a contractor, and weather conditions. We are planning for all works to be completed by Day 1 Term 1 2027. After a contractor is appointed, we will be able to finalise the stages and advise dates for the upgrade works to be completed.

The new building on Turvey Street will create a welcoming atmosphere and establish a fresh identity for the school. The existing administration building is difficult for visitors and delivery personnel to access and locate. The new administration also features separate student and public reception to increase safety of the school community and ensure no unauthorised access onto the school premises. The current main pedestrian entrance will be converted to a two-way vehicle only road for staff or out of hours visitor parking.

The current plans give an overview of all work planned to be completed as part of the upgrade project and we anticipate the final plans will look very close to the current design. The final detailed designs including colours, detailed floorplans, artwork, landscaping and furniture choices will be finalised in conjunction with the appointed contractor, architects and school leadership next year.

A new COLA will be installed in the centre of the existing school buildings. New connecting walkways between the new and existing buildings will allow the option of travelling undercover between all areas of the school.

 The new buildings have been registered with the Green Building Council Australia to comply with their 5 Star Green Star rating. The buildings will be highly efficient and feature materials free of fossil fuels, powered by renewables, built with lower carbon materials and offset with nature. The new buildings will also feature solar panels on the roof. 

In the Connecting with Country workshops held early in the design process, a number of plant and tree species were identified as suitable for the school based on weather and soil conditions, and using native species where possible. 

The final plant and tree selections will also be based on available species of suitable sizes at the time of planting as advised by the ecological and landscape consultants.

Construction work will take place year-round once started to give the school community access to new and upgraded facilities as soon as possible. We will work closely with the school leadership and our contractors to minimise the impacts to the school community. This includes ensuring noisy works aren’t planned during key school events or exams and deliveries are scheduled outside pick up and drop off times. 

A construction compound will be established around the site for the new buildings which will provide a safe barrier between the school community and the construction work.