The rebuild of Tumbulgum Public School following the devastating 2022 floods has reached a major milestone, with the delivery and installation of new building modules.
Students and staff gathered this week to watch as cranes positioned the 22 modules that will make up the new school onto flood resilient steel structures.
Manufactured offsite for rapid onsite assembly, these modules will fast-track the delivery of the school's new library, administration area and modern classrooms.
The project at Tumbulgum Public School includes restoring the old school bell and incorporating select pieces of the school's signage and plaques, ensuring the school's history remains part of its future.
The elevated and flood-resilient school will also include a canteen, outdoor landscaping, and a playground.
The rebuild is expected to be completed and ready for students and teachers to use later this year.
Since 2022, 16 flood-damaged schools have been repaired or rebuilt in the Northern Rivers, including Blakebrook Public School which opened to students this term.
Construction is also underway at nearby Condong Public School, while construction is expected to begin on Lismore South Public School in the coming weeks.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to rebuilding flood-affected schools in the Northern Rivers region, ensuring schools are built back better with flood resilience for local students and local communities.
Funding to rebuild nine extensively flood-damaged schools, including Tumbulgum Public School, has also been provided by the Infrastructure Betterment Fund, which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The arrival and installation of these new modules is a huge step forward in rebuilding Tumbulgum Public School and having visited the school in July I know how exciting this will be for all of the students and staff.
"The new school has been specially designed to be flood-resilient, giving students, teachers, and the community confidence that learning can continue no matter what challenges arise.
"Students have been learning from Tumbulgum Public School for more than 150 years. The Minns Labor Government is committed to building back stronger, ensuring we provide the foundation for many more generations of education in this beautiful community."
Minister for Recovery and the North Coast Janelle Saffin said:
"It's fantastic to see the rebuild progressing at Tumbulgum Public School and to share in the students' excitement as they see their new classrooms coming together.
"Rebuilding schools like Tumbulgum is a central part of the recovery work we are doing to create more resilient communities following the 2022 floods.
"We are building back stronger, ensuring our kids can thrive in schools that meets their educational needs in a resilient and safe environment."
Tumbulgum Public School Relieving Principal Genevieve Esgate said:
"We are thrilled to see the new school buildings coming together at Tumbulgum Public School.
"Our students are buzzing with excitement and curiosity as their future classrooms are assembled, and we are eagerly looking forward to moving into our new buildings later this year.
"Our students and community have shown incredible resilience and adaptability throughout this journey, and these new facilities will be a wonderful celebration of everyone's perseverance."
