Capalaba MP Don Brown pushes for higher fencing at Coolnwynpin State School

Intruders have caused more than $100,000 damage to the school in two incidents spanning back to October 2016, with 47 windows smashed in the latest attack on January 10.

Mr Brown said he had last week contacted both the school’s P&C about the idea and Education Minister Grace Grace for her thoughts on project funding.

While he still awaited a response from Ms Grace, Mr Brown said school funding allocation was set by Education Queensland according to highest needs.

He said he believed two metre fencing would be a better use of public money than the installation of video surveillance.

The school sits near a nature corridor and koala movements would need to be factored into any fencing, he said.

“I want to prevent (vandalism) from happening in the first place,” Mr Brown said.

“With CCTV, it could still happen."

As reported previously by Redland City Bulletin, police had not charged anyone in relation to either of the attacks at the school, with investigations into both still ongoing late last week.

It was understood Coolnwynpin was not equipped with CCTV but Education Queensland would not confirm this, citing protocol related to non-disclosure of school security measures.

Mr Brown said higher fencing had deterred vandals from entering Capalaba State College and Birkdale State School.

He said the fencing had been installed at both less than two years ago in response to damage.

An Education Queensland spokeswoman said the department had received insurance claims from eight schools maliciously damaged across the Christmas break, which included Coolnwnpin.

“The Department monitors security issues at Queensland state schools and works with principals to implement appropriate security strategies,” she said.

“The Department of Education continues to work with all state school principals, local communities and other agencies including protective Services and Queensland Police in order to protect our valuable school assets.

“Local residents are urged to report any suspicious activities around schools to police or the School Watch hotline on 13 17 88.”