What’s happening?
Road safety upgrades at Gracemere State School are now complete under a joint initiative between the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Rockhampton Regional Council.
The school was chosen for improvements through the State Government’s School Transport Infrastructure Program for 2025/26.
The completed works included speed bumps in the school carpark, turnaround areas at aisle ends, relocated disabled bays near the main gate, kerb build-outs and ramps, a redesigned set-down zone, removal of the concrete median island, and sealing of the grass verge.
Why it matters?
The changes are aimed at making school drop-off and pick-up safer and easier for students, families, teachers and motorists.
Infrastructure Councillor Marika Taylor said the upgrades were designed to improve both safety and access.
“Safety around our schools is paramount, and these upgrades will make the carpark not only safer but will improve access during drop-off and pick-up,” Cr Taylor said.
She said the new turnaround areas would help drivers move more safely through parts of the carpark with limited visibility.
“The works at Gracemere State School have seen turnaround areas installed at the ends of aisles where it’s hard to see to allow for easier and safer U-turns,” she said.
Cr Taylor said the project covered several practical changes across the school site.
“The upgrades also included new parking spaces, relocated disabled bays to near the main gate, kerb build-outs and ramps, a redesigned set-down zone, removal of the concrete median island, and sealing of the grass verge,” she said.
She also thanked the community for its patience during construction.
“I know having roadworks near a school can be a bit frustrating, so I thank the community for their patience while these works were being completed,” Cr Taylor said.
Local Impact
The completed works give Gracemere families a safer and more accessible school carpark during the busiest times of day.
Divisional Councillor Edward Oram said the project would support safer daily travel for the school community.
“These works are important to make sure schools remain safe for students, families, teachers and motorists,” Cr Oram said.
“School pick-up and drop-off is a busy time of day, and these improvements will help ensure everyone is safe going to and from school.”
Gracemere was also one of two local school communities to benefit recently, with works at Waraburra State School completed in January.
By the numbers
- Gracemere State School gained 13 new parking spaces, giving families more room during peak school traffic periods.
- Three schools in the Rockhampton Region were selected for STIP upgrades in 2025/26, including Gracemere State School, Waraburra State School and Crescent Lagoon State School.
- Since 2018, more than 20 schools across the region have received upgrades through the program, showing the scale of ongoing investment in school safety.
Zoom In
Gracemere State School’s upgrade focused on practical changes that could improve daily traffic flow and reduce risk in the carpark.
The turnaround areas were added where visibility was poor, helping drivers complete safer U-turns.
Disabled bays were moved closer to the main gate, while the set-down zone was redesigned to better support student access.
Zoom Out
The Gracemere project forms part of a wider school safety program across the Rockhampton Region.
Waraburra State School completed its upgrades in January, while Crescent Lagoon State School is also receiving improvements under the same 2025/26 STIP round.
More than 20 schools have received upgrades across the region since 2018, showing a continued focus on safer school access.
What To Look For Next?
With works now complete at Gracemere State School, attention in the region is likely to remain on other STIP-funded school upgrades, including Crescent Lagoon State School.
