Northampton Shire to consider shipping container proposal for Seroja-damaged St Mary’s School

On Friday the Shire of Northampton will consider a proposal to replace cyclone-damaged storage facilities at a local school with three shipping containers.

In the application, St Mary’s School principal Ben Will said the containers were “much-needed” because all external sheds on the campus were destroyed in the April 11 storm.

Mr Will’s submission said the containers were the preferred option because they were fire, pest, and water resistant, cost-effective and can be easily moved to the site.

The containers would also eliminate the need for the construction of an outbuilding during a time when labour and resources were scarce.

It is proposed that student-designed murals reflecting the history of the site, school and Aboriginal communities be painted by local artists on the sides of the shipping containers.

Additional hedging and rose planting has also been suggested to modify the appearance of the containers so they blend in to the streetscape.

A report being presented to councillors later this week will recommend development approval be given for the project, with two letters of support from adjacent landowners also received.