FKG Group Gracemere High School contract delivery is moving forward after the Queensland Government appointed F.K. Gardner & Sons to lead the design management and construction of the new $166 million secondary school near Rockhampton.

The contractor, widely known as FKG Group, secured the Early Contractor Involvement – Design Management and Construction contract for the greenfield school development at the corner of Johnson Road and Lucas Street in Gracemere.

The Queensland Government has allocated $166 million to deliver the complete school. This includes the original $100 million commitment for Stage 1 and an additional $66.3 million allocated for Stages 2A and 2B.

The $166 million figure represents the overall government funding allocation for the school and should not automatically be described as the exact value of FKG Group’s contract. The contractor’s specific contract value has not been publicly disclosed.

Construction is expected to commence by Term 4 of 2026. The school is scheduled to welcome its first Year 7 and Year 8 students in 2028 before expanding through later year levels.

FKG Group Gracemere High School contract awarded for major regional project

The FKG Group Gracemere High School contract marks a significant delivery milestone for one of Central Queensland’s most anticipated community infrastructure projects.

Gracemere residents have campaigned for a local secondary school for many years, with hundreds of students currently travelling into Rockhampton and surrounding areas to attend high school.

The new campus will provide a secondary education option within the growing Gracemere community while reducing pressure on existing schools, buses and regional transport connections.

FKG Group’s announced responsibilities include:

• Early Contractor Involvement;
• detailed design development;
• design management;
• construction planning;
• cost and constructability input;
• procurement and subcontractor coordination;
• delivery of the new school buildings and infrastructure;
• testing and commissioning; and
• handover to the Department of Education.

The Early Contractor Involvement model allows the builder to work with the Department of Education and design consultants before major construction begins.

Queensland Government allocates $166 million

The latest Department of Education project information identifies a total government allocation of $166 million for the new Gracemere secondary school.

The funding includes:

• $100 million committed for Stage 1; and
• $66.3 million added for Stages 2A and 2B.

The additional funding is intended to support delivery of the broader school campus rather than limiting construction to the initial Stage 1 facilities.

The total funding allocation should be distinguished from the contractor’s commercial contract value.

The recommended wording is:

FKG Group has secured the design management and construction contract for Queensland’s new $166 million Gracemere high school.

It would not be accurate to state that FKG Group has secured a $166 million contract unless the Queensland Government or contractor later confirms that exact contract value.

Stage 1 will include classrooms, specialist areas and sporting facilities

The first stage of the school is expected to include:

• 16 general learning classrooms;
• nine specialist learning areas;
• administration and staff facilities;
• student amenities;
• outdoor multi-purpose courts;
• a sports oval;
• covered and outdoor learning areas;
• pedestrian and vehicle access;
• parking and drop-off infrastructure;
• landscaping;
• utilities and site services; and
• supporting civil and drainage infrastructure.

The final scope, building layout and staging will be confirmed through detailed design.

The new campus is intended to provide modern learning spaces capable of supporting general education, practical subjects, technology, science, arts, physical education and other curriculum requirements.

Complete school planned for up to 1,500 students

The complete Gracemere school is planned to accommodate up to approximately 1,500 students and around 120 staff when all stages are operational.

The initial opening will be staged, with Year 7 and Year 8 students expected to commence in 2028.

Additional year levels can then be introduced progressively as the first student cohort advances through secondary school.

This approach allows the new school to grow in a controlled manner while facilities, staffing and operating systems are established.

The staged opening may involve:

• Year 7 and Year 8 commencing first;
• additional year levels being added annually;
• progressive recruitment of teachers and support staff;
• commissioning of specialist learning facilities;
• development of transport and enrolment arrangements; and
• future expansion in response to population growth.

Construction expected to begin by Term 4 of 2026

Major construction is expected to commence by Term 4 of 2026.

Before full construction begins, FKG Group and the project team will need to complete detailed design, site investigations, construction planning and pre-construction establishment.

Early activities may include:

• surveying and construction set-out;
• geotechnical investigations;
• service locating;
• site establishment;
• temporary fencing and access controls;
• vegetation and environmental management;
• bulk earthworks planning;
• utility coordination;
• drainage investigations;
• construction traffic planning;
• subcontractor procurement; and
• material and equipment planning.

The construction schedule will need to support the planned 2028 opening while allowing adequate time for testing, commissioning, certification, furniture installation and operational preparation.

Greenfield site at Johnson Road and Lucas Street

The new school will be constructed on government-owned land at the corner of Johnson Road and Lucas Street in Gracemere.

As a greenfield development, the project requires more than school-building construction.

The site will also need supporting infrastructure such as:

• internal roads;
• vehicle entrances and exits;
• bus and passenger drop-off facilities;
• staff and visitor parking;
• pedestrian paths;
• stormwater drainage;
• water and sewer connections;
• electrical supply;
• communications infrastructure;
• fire services;
• security systems;
• external lighting;
• landscaping; and
• sporting and recreational areas.

Greenfield school projects also require careful integration with the surrounding road network, future residential development and community infrastructure.

Why Gracemere needs its own secondary school

Gracemere has experienced substantial population growth and is an important residential community within the wider Rockhampton region.

Many secondary-aged students currently travel to schools in Rockhampton, creating pressure on school buses and increasing daily travel times for families.

A local high school is expected to provide benefits including:

• shorter student travel times;
• reduced pressure on school buses;
• improved access to secondary education;
• greater connection between students and their local community;
• additional teaching and education-support employment;
• reduced pressure on existing Rockhampton schools; and
• support for continued housing and population growth.

The project has been sought by local residents and community representatives for decades.

FKG Group to hold industry information sessions

FKG Group is expected to conduct industry sessions for local businesses interested in participating in the project.

The sessions are intended to provide information about:

• the anticipated construction program;
• supplier and subcontractor requirements;
• potential procurement packages;
• registration processes;
• quality and safety expectations;
• regional participation opportunities;
• tendering requirements; and
• future contact points.

This is particularly relevant for contractors and suppliers in Rockhampton, Gracemere, Gladstone and the wider Central Queensland region.

Businesses should monitor official FKG Group, Queensland Government and Department of Education channels for confirmed session dates and procurement information.

Supply-chain opportunities from the FKG Group Gracemere High School contract

The FKG Group Gracemere High School contract may create work across a broad range of construction, engineering and professional-service disciplines.

Potential supply-chain areas include:

• surveying and construction set-out;
• geotechnical investigations;
• site clearing and preparation;
• bulk earthworks;
• excavation;
• civil drainage;
• road and carpark construction;
• concrete foundations and slabs;
• reinforcing steel;
• structural steel fabrication;
• structural steel erection;
• precast concrete;
• carpentry and framing;
• roofing and cladding;
• doors, windows and glazing;
• electrical installation;
• communications and data cabling;
• security and access-control systems;
• fire detection and fire services;
• plumbing and hydraulic services;
• air conditioning and ventilation;
• solar and energy systems;
• internal partitions and ceilings;
• joinery;
• painting and finishes;
• flooring;
• commercial kitchens and specialist equipment;
• science and technical learning fit-outs;
• sports courts and oval construction;
• fencing and gates;
• landscaping and irrigation;
• shade structures;
• play and recreational equipment;
• street and external lighting;
• school signage;
• plant and equipment hire;
• temporary buildings and amenities;
• transport and freight;
• waste management;
• cleaning and commissioning support; and
• construction workforce services.

These are potential participation areas only. They do not confirm that specific work packages remain open or that FKG Group will subcontract every listed activity.

Businesses should verify opportunities directly through the contractor’s formal supplier and tendering processes.

Central Queensland jobs and regional expenditure

The new school is expected to generate substantial employment during construction and ongoing education jobs after opening.

Construction roles may include:

• project managers;
• construction managers;
• site supervisors;
• engineers;
• design consultants;
• quantity surveyors;
• surveyors;
• earthmoving operators;
• concreters;
• steel workers;
• carpenters;
• electricians;
• plumbers;
• mechanical-services trades;
• landscapers;
• truck drivers;
• labourers;
• administrators; and
• safety and quality personnel.

Project expenditure may also flow into local accommodation, fuel, transport, equipment maintenance, food services and construction-material suppliers.

After the school opens, ongoing positions will include teachers, school leaders, administrative staff, teacher aides, maintenance personnel and other education-support workers.

FKG Group brings extensive education construction experience

FKG Group is a Queensland-based construction and infrastructure company with substantial experience delivering schools and education facilities.

The company’s previous education projects include new schools, secondary-college stages, classroom buildings, administration facilities, performing arts centres and specialist learning areas.

Relevant FKG Group experience includes work at:

• Mango Hill State Secondary College;
• Foxwell State Secondary College;
• Baringa State Secondary College;
• Palmview State Secondary College;
• Nirimba State Primary School;
• Coomera State Special School;
• Everleigh State School;
• Mountain Creek State High School;
• Harristown State High School; and
• Mackay Northern Beaches State High School.

This experience gives FKG Group familiarity with Department of Education requirements, staged school delivery, greenfield campuses and specialist learning environments.

Early Contractor Involvement supports design development

The project is being progressed through an Early Contractor Involvement model combined with design management and construction delivery.

This delivery model allows FKG Group to contribute construction knowledge while the design is being finalised.

Potential benefits include:

• earlier constructability input;
• improved cost planning;
• identification of long-lead materials;
• better construction staging;
• early subcontractor engagement;
• coordination of building services;
• management of project risks;
• alignment between design and available funding; and
• a clearer transition into major construction.

The process can also reduce the risk of completing a design that is difficult, expensive or inefficient to construct.

Specialist school facilities create diverse procurement needs

Secondary schools require more specialised spaces than ordinary commercial buildings.

The nine specialist learning areas planned for Stage 1 may require purpose-designed equipment and services for subjects such as:

• science;
• technology;
• engineering;
• arts;
• food and hospitality;
• manual arts;
• digital learning;
• music and performance; and
• health and physical education.

The exact subject allocation has not yet been publicly detailed.

Specialist spaces may require additional ventilation, power, data, hydraulic services, laboratory fixtures, safety systems, acoustic treatments and custom joinery.

Road, transport and access planning

The school will generate new traffic, pedestrian and bus movements around Johnson Road and Lucas Street.

Transport planning will need to consider:

• school bus access;
• parent drop-off and pick-up areas;
• staff and visitor parking;
• student pedestrian routes;
• cycling access;
• emergency vehicle access;
• construction traffic;
• intersection capacity;
• road safety treatments; and
• future population growth.

The final arrangements will be developed with relevant government agencies and Rockhampton Regional Council.

Separate road or external infrastructure works should not be assumed to be included in FKG Group’s building contract unless confirmed in official project documentation.

New campus must be operational for 2028

The first school intake is scheduled for 2028, creating a defined program deadline for design, construction and commissioning.

Before students can attend, the project will need to complete:

• building construction;
• civil and utility works;
• testing and commissioning;
• fire and building certification;
• accessibility inspections;
• furniture and equipment installation;
• IT and communications setup;
• security-system commissioning;
• landscaping and external works;
• staff recruitment and training;
• student enrolment planning; and
• operational-readiness activities.

Construction completion will therefore need to occur sufficiently early to allow the Department of Education to establish the campus before the first school term.

Why the FKG Group Gracemere High School contract matters

The FKG Group Gracemere High School contract combines several strong Project Watch elements:

• a named Queensland contractor;
• a $166 million government funding allocation;
• a major Central Queensland location;
• construction scheduled to begin in 2026;
• a defined 2028 opening target;
• significant subcontracting and supplier potential;
• industry information sessions for local businesses;
• education and community benefits; and
• long-term regional employment.

The strongest commercial framing is that FKG Group has secured the delivery role for a major greenfield school that will require broad participation across civil, structural, building-services and specialist education sectors.

Bowen Basin Index readers can follow further Queensland construction and regional infrastructure contracts through the Project Watch construction category, the infrastructure category, the regional economy category, the supply-chain category and the broader Project Watch news hub.

FKG Group Gracemere High School contract summary

FKG Group has secured the Early Contractor Involvement – Design Management and Construction contract for Queensland’s new Gracemere secondary school.

The Queensland Government has allocated $166 million for the complete school, comprising the original $100 million Stage 1 commitment and an additional $66.3 million for Stages 2A and 2B.

Stage 1 will include 16 general classrooms, nine specialist learning areas, outdoor multi-purpose courts and a sports oval.

Construction is expected to commence by Term 4 of 2026, with the first Year 7 and Year 8 students scheduled to begin in 2028.

The exact commercial value of FKG Group’s contract has not been publicly disclosed.