A NEW secondary school designed for students who have become disengaged from mainstream education is planned for Glass House Mountains, modelled on an existing campus in Caboolture.
Worklinks QLD Ltd has lodged a development application with Sunshine Coast Council for an educational establishment at 31 Bruce Parade.
The proposal includes a five-stage build to create a Horizons College campus for students in Years 7–12 who face significant personal or educational barriers. Horizons College in Caboolture opened in 2014 and caters for young people needing an alternative learning environment. Its program combines academic and vocational training with small class sizes, one-on-one support and a strong focus on wellbeing — an approach that would be replicated at the new Glass House Mountains site, alongside facilities for trades, creative industries, wellbeing services and hospitality training.
The application seeks approval for an educational establishment, food and drink outlet and office. The site was previously approved for a shopping centre, a permit that has since lapsed.
“While the primary use is not retail or commercial in the traditional sense, it is a critical community function that complements the intent of a full-service centre,” the application stated.
“Educational infrastructure contributes to the daily activation and social cohesion of town centres, supports local jobs, and increases pedestrian activity – benefiting surrounding businesses and services.”
The report acknowledged that council had raised concern that the proposal could “sterilise” a relatively large parcel of centre-zoned land.
“However, this concern is addressed both by the staged nature of the development … and by the contextual history of the site.”
The Glass House Mountains campus is planned to accommodate 250–300 students when complete. According to the application, the development would be constructed in five stages.
Of the five stages, the first would deliver part of a Trades Hub, including an automotive workshop, hairdressing and construction facilities, staff room, theory rooms and covered outdoor work areas. It would also establish part of the Student Common, with an assembly area, hospitality kitchen, amenities, storeroom, lockers and spaces earmarked for a future gym and senior lounge. Administration would operate initially from demountable buildings.
Stage two would complete the Student Common, adding youth worker offices and a student hub, and build a Creative Industries Hub containing eight general learning areas and storerooms.
