Families in the Springfield-Redbank area are a step closer to having another specialist education option closer to home, with construction of a new special school adjoining Woogaroo Creek State School now 50 per cent complete.
Stage 1 is scheduled to open in Term 1, 2027, with capacity for 120 students. A second stage is planned for Term 1, 2028, subject to enrolment demand, and would provide space for another 80 students.
If completed as planned, the school would have capacity for about 200 students.
New places as Goodna enrolments rise
The new school is intended to ease enrolment pressure at Goodna Special School and add specialist education capacity in a rapidly growing part of Ipswich. Goodna Special School enrolments have increased by more than 80 per cent since 2020, according to the Queensland Department of Education.
Goodna has also received additional facilities as enrolments have grown. A temporary two-storey prefabricated building containing 12 classrooms and amenities was delivered for the start of Term 1, 2026, replacing six previous classrooms in temporary buildings. The department has said it is planning longer-term measures to cater for future student numbers in the Goodna area.
Plans for the Springfield-Redbank campus include five two-storey buildings with 20 learning spaces, lifts, play areas, green spaces for outdoor learning and multipurpose areas. The project is a new special school adjoining the existing mainstream Woogaroo Creek State School.
Young population adds to school demand
Ipswich continues to record strong population growth. The city grew by 3.5 per cent in the year to 30 June 2025, adding 9,138 residents and recording the fastest growth rate of any Queensland city for the financial year, according to Ipswich City Council citing official population data. Springfield was among the areas identified as contributing to that increase.
The Springfield-Redbank population also has a younger age profile than Queensland overall. The 2021 Census recorded 105,202 people in the statistical area, with a median age of 31 compared with 38 statewide. Almost 27,900 residents were younger than 15.
Children aged under five represented 8.8 per cent of the population, while those aged five to nine accounted for 9.2 per cent and those aged 10 to 14 made up 8.4 per cent. Each proportion was higher than the Queensland figure for the same age group. Family households represented 79.2 per cent of occupied private dwellings, compared with 71 per cent statewide.
Foundation principal appointed
Rachel Dougherty has been appointed foundation principal of the new school. She has more than 20 years of experience in Queensland state education across primary and special education and became principal of neighbouring Woogaroo Creek State School in June 2026.
Dougherty said she wanted to build an inclusive school focused on teaching, student growth and individual support, and looked forward to working with students, families, staff and the wider community as the school was established.
Published 8-Sept-2026












