The Minns Labor Government is continuing to rebuild essential education infrastructure in regional NSW, with a milestone reached in the recovery of Lismore South Public School and Lismore South Public School Ngulliboo Jarjums Preschool following the devastating 2022 Northern Rivers floods.
This week the school's first building modules are lifted into place, as construction continues on the new permanent, flood-resilient facilities at the schools' Phyllis Street site.
The modules are being craned in and installed onto a flood-resilient steel platform. The first school spaces will be assembled in 47 separate crane lifts, with installation of the preschool and remaining classrooms to follow. The rebuild is expected to be completed in late 2026.
The new flood-resilient public school and co-located public preschool will include 13 state-of-the-art classrooms, a library, a multipurpose hall, administration areas, landscaping and outdoor learning areas, and dedicated indoor and outdoor learning spaces for Lismore South Public School Ngulliboo Jarjums Preschool.
The flood-resilient buildings have been designed to meet the long-term needs of preschool and primary school students in South Lismore and minimise potential disruption from any future flood events.
Enhanced planning powers under section 68 of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022 have been used to fast-track the rebuild of the school. This is the third time these powers have been exercised by the Minister for Recovery to accelerate the reconstruction of a flood-affected public school, supporting the NSW Government's commitment to deliver safer, more resilient learning environments for local communities. The Minns Labor Government is committed to rebuilding flood-affected schools in the Northern Rivers, ensuring schools are built back better for local communities.
Since 2022, 18 flood-damaged schools have been repaired or rebuilt in the Northern Rivers, including Tumbulgum Public School and Condong Public School, where students returned late last year.
Funding to rebuild nine extensively damaged schools, including Lismore South Public School, has been provided through the Infrastructure Betterment Fund, which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
As part of the Minns Labor Government's plan to rebuild public education in NSW, the 2025-26 Budget is delivering $2.1 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"This is an exciting milestone for the Lismore South community, with students, staff and families seeing their new school begin to take shape.
"The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of rebuilding schools in the Northern River better, and the new, flood-resilient Lismore South Public School will better serve local students and families for decades to come.
"These new facilities will give students in South Lismore access to the high-quality learning environments they deserve."
Minister for Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:
"Recovery looks different for every family in our community, but for the students of Lismore South it looks like a new school taking shape, module by module.
"We are committed to ensuring our local schools are built back better. By using a flood-resilient steel platform and modern design, we are making sure this school stays at the heart of South Lismore for the long term.
"Our community deserves a school that is built for the future. Seeing these modules lifted into place is a massive step forward in providing our students and teachers with the modern, purpose-built facilities they need and deserve."
Lismore South Public School Principal Larissa Polak said:
"It is a real turning point to see the first modules of our new school going up. Students, teachers, and local families are so excited to see this progress.
"This new building represents stability and continuity of learning in the face of future challenges. It will be a safe, modern school, built to give every child here the best possible learning environment.
"We are so proud to be on this journey, especially after everything our community has faced, and we cannot wait to call this new school our home."
