Land has been purchased in Manly West to begin planning new special education facilities aimed at easing enrolment pressure at Darling Point Special School.
Background and Site Constraints
Darling Point Special School, located on Upper Esplanade in Manly, has seen rising enrolments. Operating on a site smaller than one hectare, the school faces physical limitations due to its location beside Moreton Bay and surrounding parkland. To manage enrolment growth, a temporary satellite campus has operated at Iona College since 2022.
Planning Underway Following Land Acquisition
To address these constraints, the Department of Education has purchased a 2.5-hectare site at 218 Manly Road, adjacent to Manly West State School. This land acquisition marks the beginning of early-stage planning, which will include technical site investigations, a concept master plan, and a detailed business case.
The planning aims to provide long-term relief for Darling Point Special School. These plans will be informed by input from nearby schools and the broader community.
Educational Need and Program Overview
Darling Point Special School delivers a broad range of programs for students from Prep to Year 12. The school is known for its co-teaching model, where curriculum specialists collaborate with special educators. Students access diverse subjects including literacy, numeracy, science, arts, music, hydrotherapy, and vocational education.
The school has a sensory room, therapy services using a transdisciplinary approach, and registered training programs delivering certificate outcomes. It also maintains an international partnership with Denmark and is supported by expert consultants in behaviour analysis.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Next Steps and Community Engagement
The concept master plan is due by the end of 2025. Public consultation will follow to guide future planning approvals. Construction will depend on funding and formal approvals. Local families, educators and stakeholders are encouraged to take part in the early discussions. Questions can be emailed to BuildingFutureSchools@qed.qld.gov.au.
Published 31-May-2025
