First high school at new Aura community set for 2021

Stockland has welcomed a key commencement milestone of the first high school at its $5 billion Aura community on the Sunshine Coast with Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace announcing funding towards the $115 million project today.

Baringa High School is part of a collaborative agreement between Stockland, Sunshine Coast Council and the Queensland Government and will operate from Year 7 to Year 12 with a strong focus on STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Josh Sondergeld, Aura Project Director for Stockland, said the confirmation of the school’s opening in 2021 is an important milestone for Aura and will be a cornerstone of the community’s growth in the region.

“Baringa State School is the first high school to be delivered at Aura and follows the successful delivery of Baringa State Primary School last year. It forms part of a broader education hub, providing access to quality lifelong learning to ensure Sunshine Coast children have skills needed for the jobs of the future.

“We know the key to a thriving new community is not just a well-designed and thought out master plan, but the early delivery of key infrastructure.

“We’re proud to be delivering this infrastructure that supports population growth at such an early point in our vibrant new community,” Mr Sondergeld said.

The school is accessible, strategically located within the community and connected by an extensive network of walking and cycle paths.

Aura residents Stacey and Peter Tovey are currently renting in Baringa while they build a new home on a 642 square metre lot close to the future high school, allowing their two children Jayson, 11, and Paige, 9, to walk or ride safely to school.

Jayson will be among the first cohort of students to attend Baringa State High School when it opens in 2021, with both Jayson and Paige currently attending Baringa State Primary School.

“Education was the first thing on our minds when we arrived from Canada in October last year and the focus on STEM learning at Baringa was a huge part of the reason why we bought at Aura,” Mrs Tovey said.

“The liveability of being able to walk to everything was also very important and we’re so happy to hear that the high school is opening in time for our son to start Year 7.”

Both Stacey and Peter work from home in the technology industry so Baringa’s high-speed digital access was another key factor in their decision to buy their first home in Australia at Aura.

“We fell in love with the Sunshine Coast when we made our first trip to Australia in March last year. We’re really enjoying living in Baringa, the kids love the parks and it will be great when the medical centre and IGA open too.”

About Aura:

More than 20,000 new homes will be created on the 24 square kilometre site over the next 30 years and the future city will feature 20 learning hubs within a 20 kilometre radius, a vibrant town centre and retail hub, extensive South Bank style urban parkland, an elite sporting and performance precinct and two business and enterprise parks.

Aura will ultimately feature more than 200 kilometres of walking and cycle paths, meaning residents are within a 15 minute ride to anywhere in the community.