Master Plan Information Hub

Ormiston College has followed the correct and only lawful process available to schools under Queensland planning legislation. Since koala corridor areas came under State Government jurisdiction in 2020, any development of this kind must go through a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation rather than a local council approval process. This is not a choice the College made on their own accord, but rather a legal requirement.

In accordance with strict protocols outlined in our koala conservation plan, a staged approach is being followed that allows native wildlife to move naturally toward retained habitat, away from the school. No more than 50 per cent of vegetation will be cleared at any one time with mandatory overnight rest periods between stages.

A koala corridor is a koala transit zone where koalas may frequent for short bursts of time but are not permanent homes. A koala habitat is where the koala lives permanently, breed and feed.

Of the area being cleared, approximately one fifth falls within the identified koala transit corridor. The remaining 80 per cent of existing koala transit zones across the College will remain completely untouched throughout the development. To offset any clearing, we have committed to planting more than 526 new preferred koala food trees on site which is a long term investment in strengthening the corridor, improving canopy connection and enhancing local food sources for wildlife well into the future. We understand trees take time to mature, and that is precisely why we are acting now.

Licensed fauna spotters are on-site during clearing works and will remain on-site for the full duration thereof to ensure any wildlife who may be moving through the area, can do so safely.

In the event that wildlife is identified within the work area, clearing immediately ceases in that zone and an exclusion area is established in accordance with our approved Vegetation and Fauna Management Plan. Works do not resume in that zone until the animal has moved on safely and of its own accord. This applies to all wildlife on site, not just koalas. Licensed fauna spotters are present throughout all clearing activity specifically to ensure this protocol is followed without exception.

We respect the right of community members to peaceful expression and understand the passion behind it. We ask only that any activity remains respectful and does not interfere with the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and school community. The safety of our college community is always our first priority and where required, we will escalate issues to the relevant authorities.

We decided to disable comments on our social media platforms as the safety of our students, staff and general College community was becoming compromised through inappropriate remarks. We encourage all communication but ask this is done so in a matter that is not hurtful, defamatory or intimidating.

The safety and wellbeing of every member of our school community is and will always be our absolute first priority. We are aware that some members of our community have been exposed to aggressive and concerning behaviour from individuals connected to the current protest activity, and we are monitoring this closely and taking it very seriously. We are in regular contact with the relevant authorities, and we ask that anyone who experiences threatening behaviour — whether online or in person — contacts the College directly so it can be properly documented and addressed.

The Ormiston College Master Plan is a long-term strategic framework designed to guide the College’s growth and development to meet rising student enrolments, which are forecasted to exceed 1,600 by 2026.

The Plan provides a clear direction for the future of the College, ensuring we are growing and evolving to meet this demand while maintaining the values and environment that make Ormiston College unique. The proposed Plan will help create a learning environment that offers the best opportunities and nurtures the strengths of current and future students - across academics, sports and the arts.

No. While new buildings and sporting facilities are part of the Master Plan, they will be built on the existing college premises. Ormiston College currently sits on 67 acres of land and it is within these perimeters that works would take place.

The Master Plan will deliver a range of benefits for Ormiston College by enhancing the spaces where our students learn, play and grow.

The proposed development includes a combination of new purpose-built facilities and upgrades to existing spaces, all aimed at strengthening the student experience. These improvements will allow the College to better support individual strengths, whether in the classroom, in the arts or on the sporting field.

Below is an overview of the facilities and upgrades proposed under the Master Plan:

D01 New Full Perimeter Boundary Security Fence with Automatic Vehicular Sliding Gates, Pedestrian Access Gates and Koala Crossing as Required

D02 New Multi Use Building- Educational Teaching Spaces and Storage (2 Storey)

D03 New Multi Use Building - Utilities, Maintenance and Archive (2 Storey)

D06 New Grounds/Green Keepers’ Sheds

D07 New Boarding Facility (3 Storey) and associated Car Parking/ Drop Off Zone

D08 New Aquatic Centre- 50m Pool (extension of current 25m pool) & Multi-Use Educational Building (2 Storey)

D09 New Sturgeon Street Connection Path and Landscape

D10 Lingo Lin Performing Arts Theatre Extension

D11 New Outdoor Play Area

D12 Covered Area to Existing Multipurpose Courts

D13 New Concrete Connection Pathway

D14 Sports Court Extension and New Grandstand (2 Storey)

D15 Carpark Extension to Dundas St W Carpark

D16 Somerset Sports Centre Covered Entries

D17 New Indoor Multi-Purpose Courts with Enclosed Cricket Pitch and Nets

D18 New Storage Shed Inc New Change Rooms/ Amenities (1 Storey)

D20 New Junior School Sports Fields with External Sports Lighting

D21 New External Shaded Seating

D22 New Concrete Covered Connection Pathway For Branch Fall Protection

D23 New Council Street Parallel Parking

D24 Extension to Existing Carpark

D25 New Field Lighting to Existing Field

E01 Existing Buildings, Structures and Embellishments

J01 Building Extension- Year 4 (1 Storey)

J02 Building Extension- Year 5 (1 Storey)

J03 New Changeroom/Amenities (1 Storey)

J04 Extension to Amenities (1 Storey)

J05 Extension to Changeroom/Amenities (1 Storey)

J06 Repurpose and Extend Existing Prep for Grade 1 Class (1 Storey)

J07 Repurpose Existing ELC for Prep Precinct (1 Storey)

J08 New Early Learning Centre and Connected Carpark (2 Storey)

J09 New Covered Junior School Drop Off Zone

J10 New Junior School Administration Building (2 Storey)

S01 New Business Studies and Arts Precinct (3 Storey)

S02 New Multi-Use Building- Educational Teaching Spaces with Amenities (2 Storey)

A Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) is required because, under Queensland planning legislation, certain types of essential community infrastructure, such as schools, must be assessed through State Government processes rather than local council. This is particularly the case for land that sits within a koala corridor, which has been under State jurisdiction since 2020.

The MID ensures the College’s plans are assessed thoroughly and transparently, with input from a wide range of State agencies responsible for planning, environmental protection and community impact.

The project is being managed by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, which oversees all educational MIDs and ensures that any proposed growth meets both educational needs and environmental safeguards.

While the MID is being managed by State Government, the College has continued to engage with Redlands City Council and local councillors throughout the entire application process.

Yes. Ormiston College has engaged JWA Ecological Consultants to provide independent, expert environmental advice throughout. JWA is a respected Queensland firm with more than 40 years of combined experience in koala research, ecological assessment, and wildlife rescue.

JWA’s involvement with the College is long-standing and they bring a deep understanding of our land and surrounding wildlife, having worked on the site for more than nine years. JWA began ecological surveys in June 2016 to provide information requested by Redland City Council following a pre-lodgement meeting in 2015.

Their most recent targeted koala surveys were completed in 2020, led by Adam McArthur with specialist support from Dr Grant Brearley and Dr Nicole Davies. Throughout this process, JWA has carried out detailed flora and fauna studies, mapped vegetation and habitat types, and identified areas of ecological sensitivity. Their findings have directly informed the Master Plan and helped guide how we can best protect, enhance and strengthen the koala corridor on campus.

All work has been completed in accordance with the Commonwealth EPBC Act referral guidelines and Queensland’s Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2017.

JWA’s full ecological reporting has been included in the MID documentation and is being reviewed as part of the State Government assessment process.

The ecological assessment undertaken by JWA Ecological Consultants confirmed that the area proposed for development functions primarily as a koala transit corridor (a pathway koalas move through), not a breeding ground or high-density habitat. While koalas are occasionally sighted on campus, recorded activity levels were low and consistent with transit behaviour.

Importantly, the assessment found the planned works will deliver a net ecological gain. The project will achieve a 1:1 replacement of koala habitat area, ensuring no net loss, while significantly improving the quality of habitat through targeted revegetation and stronger canopy connections.

Key findings of the assessment included:

- The areas affected are mostly supplementary or shelter tree species (e.g. Melaleuca quinquenervia), with only 11% being preferred koala food trees (PKFTs) such as Eucalyptus tereticornis.

- The College will plant at least 526 PKFTs, offsetting the loss of approximately 58 PKFTs and 594 supplementary trees, creating a healthier and more sustainable habitat corridor for the future.

Extensive measures are being taken to ensure no net loss of koala habitat as part of the Master Plan.

JWA Ecological Consultants confirmed that the proposed development land functions as a transit corridor, not a permanent koala habitat - meaning koalas move through the area rather than live or breed there. Even so, the importance of protecting and enhancing the entire local corridor is of critical importance to the College.

Working closely with ecological specialists, the College will achieve a 1:1 replacement of koala habitat area, ensuring no net loss overall. To offset any loss of vegetation, the college will plant at least 526 new preferred koala food trees (PKFTs), such as Eucalyptus tereticornis, replacing an estimated 58 PKFTs and 594 supplementary species impacted by works. This will improve local food sources, strengthen canopy connectivity and create a longer-term, more sustainable environment for koalas and other wildlife.

The safety of the local koala community has always been and continues to be of critical importance to the College.

A Koala Management Plan will guide all vegetation clearing and construction activities, ensuring compliance with the Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2017. This plan is prepared by qualified specialists to set clear standards and protocols to minimise disruption and safeguard local wildlife throughout the development.

The proposed plan includes the following measures:

- Licensed fauna spotter-catchers on-site before and during any tree clearing, to inspect trees using approved methods such as binocular surveys or thermal cameras.

- An immediate pause of works if any wildlife is detected, to safely re-inspect trees and assess next action, in line with the Conservation Plan 2017.

- All activity to be logged and reported under State wildlife protocols.

Koalas are occasionally seen within the College grounds, which is consistent with expert ecological assessments identifying the area as a transit corridor rather than a breeding habitat. This means koalas move through the landscape but do not typically reside or establish home ranges on the site.

The College will continue to protect these movement pathways through strengthened habitat corridors, revegetation and the environmental measures set out in the Master Plan.

The College takes pride in being part of the Redlands community, so collaboration with the broader community has been important throughout the entire Master Plan process. We have met with, listened to and involved the feedback of local residents, parents and key stakeholders since the early stages.

Initial consultation began well before any formal lodgement, in January 2023. This included letterbox drops to around 100 nearby homes, meetings with neighbours and direct discussions with parents, local council representatives, and advocacy groups.

Feedback gathered through these early engagements led to several important refinements to the plan - including removing a proposed car park, reducing the Early Learning Centre footprint, and adjusting building setbacks to minimise environmental and amenity impacts.

Since then, the College has continued ongoing community engagement, holding regular meetings with neighbours, maintaining dialogue with advocacy groups, and keeping students and parents informed at every key project milestone.

Community feedback played an important role in shaping the Master Plan, and informed several early changes to reduce the environmental impact and improve outcomes for neighbours. In response to conversations with residents, parents, environmental groups and independent specialists, the College refined the proposal by:

- Reducing the overall development footprint.

- Removing a proposed car park located within a sensitive part of the koala corridor.

- Strengthening and widening the koala movement corridor through targeted re-vegetation and layout adjustments.

- Increasing setbacks for neighbouring properties to reduce amenity impacts.

We are committed to keeping the community informed and involved during the MID assessment process. This Information Hub will be updated regularly with the latest project news, milestones and any changes to works.

In addition, we will continue to share updates through the College’s usual communication channels, including email, social media and our school newsletter, to ensure families, neighbours and interested community members have clear, timely and transparent access to all relevant information.