A petition, tabled in the Queensland Parliament, received almost 4000 signatures for the expansion to be relocated "well away from its proposed location" and its associated 'Buffer Zone'. Loading The ironwood tree, "scarred" by Aborigines, and Toowong Creek was the most obvious sign of an Aboriginal "songline" between Mt Coot-tha and Brisbane River at Toowong, which was believed to be the paths their ancestors walked. Aborigines deliberately "scarred" trees by removing sections of the bark to make canoes, shelters and water carriers – called coolamons – and frequently carved inside the "scars" for ceremonies. Education Minister Grace Grace described the outcome as "a win" after working closely with the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and traditional owners.

She said they wanted to ensure the expansion could still be delivered while respecting the cultural and environmental sensitivities of the site. “My department takes its role in supporting environmental protection and minimising the impact of our actions on the environment very seriously,” she said. “Senior officers from my department have had a series of discussions with the Turrbal people and they have agreed with our proposal to adjust the location of the building in order to avoid any impact on the tree." Ms Grace said the expansion would support 96 full-time jobs to boost the local economy while delivering opportunities for high achieving students. The centre, featuring 12 classrooms to accommodate year 8 and 9 students, staff rooms, undercover parking and a courtyard was expected to be complete by March 2020.

As part of the expansion, a STEM building would also be built in February to be completed for the first day of the 2020 school year. However, despite Ms Grace being happy with the result, Save Toowong Creek spokeswoman Julie Lloyd said she needed to think twice and look at the bigger picture. "It's not really a win when they have moved the site a few metres away from the tree because it is still affecting the Toowong Creek," she said. "To appease the community, the government has moved the planned building slightly to protect a 300-year old Scar Tree but they have failed to tell the community that they are not protecting everything around the Scar Tree that makes up the tree’s environment and the many animals who depend on that habitat. "A number of trees have now been bulldozed down when there was ample space away from the creek and habitat zone for the expansion."

Ms Lloyd said time would only tell how the Scar tree would survive and how its roots would respond to the change in the environment as well as the species surrounding the creek. "There will be a disruption of habitat for numerous species and construction will inflict long-term noise along creek right on what is the main corridor for wildlife from Mt Coot-tha to the Brisbane River," she said. "To save one tree is great but it's catastrophic to destroy a whole habitat that animals rely on." Ms Lloyd said the site had been cleared by midday but held hope that the area could be regenerated with frogs and owls if construction stopped right away and was moved to another area in the college. The Save Toowong Creek group would continue to fight the decision for the chosen location.