Construction is officially underway on the new Willyama High School, marking a historic milestone in the Minns Labor Government's commitment to public secondary education in Broken Hill.
The project will deliver a modern campus serving students, families and the wider community for generations to come, replacing the original 1970s school building which was severely damaged by mould in early 2024.
Designed to accommodate up to 730 students with capacity for future growth, the new school is scheduled to open in 2027 and has been designed with extensive community input, with more than 130 face-to-face community engagement and consultation sessions helping to shape the design.
In response to feedback from the teachers, staff and P&C of Willyama High School, the new high school will include two science labs as well as four science classrooms equipped with sinks and benches to enable more practical lessons. The hall will also be larger than the previous hall and will accommodate a full-sized basketball court, as well as a sprung floor to support performing arts.
The new school will also include 30 modern classrooms and a support learning hub, learning commons and multipurpose spaces, as well as core facilities including a library, canteen, and staff and administration facilities. External spaces will include a sports field and covered basketball court, games court, cricket nets, covered outdoor learning areas (COLAs), sensory garden, shade structures, and an agricultural plot.
Specialised facilities will include industry-standard wood and metal workshops, science labs, a visual arts workshop, physical education and performing arts spaces, construction workshop, food technology kitchen, and a commercial kitchen for hospitality training.
In recognition of local environment in Broken Hill, all buildings, including the hall, will be air conditioned, the walkways will be covered and wider than standard, glass will be treated to ensure that temperature levels remain comfortable and there will be more shade structures.
Designed to foster a strong sense of community in consultation with school leadership and the Wilyakali people, the school will reflect themes of Country, Community, Sky and Water. It will include a dedicated student Aboriginal community hub, and a student Oasis wellness hub will also form part of the new campus.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring the Willyama High School rebuild meets the needs of students, staff, and the Broken Hill community now and into the future.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"Breaking ground on this complete rebuild of Willyama High School is an exciting milestone for students, staff and the community of Broken Hill following a challenging period.
"Every student in regional NSW deserves access to state-of-the-art facilities, and I am proud the Minns Labor Government is delivering on our promise here in Broken Hill with this brand-new, rebuilt school that will provide an excellent learning environment for local students.
"We have worked closely with teachers, staff, parents, Broken Hill council and the broader community to ensure we deliver a state-of-the-art school that meets their aspirations and ensure the future of education in the region remains of high quality".
"I want to sincerely thank the entire Broken Hill community for their patience and support throughout the last couple of years. The care and passion of local families and teachers has ensured continuity for students and helped shape a bright future for this school."
Minister for Western New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:
"This project underpins the future education of young people in the Far West, ensuring students in Broken Hill have the same access to high quality learning facilities as students anywhere else in the state.
"Communities right across Western NSW rely on strong public investment, and this project shows our commitment to supporting the region with the infrastructure it needs to grow.
"The Broken Hill community has played a huge role in shaping this project, and you can see that in every part of the design. This rebuild reflects the character and resilience of the Far West, and it's great to see it moving ahead."
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:
"Today is an exciting milestone for the Willyama High School and broader Broken Hill community and I am pleased to be here to mark the start of construction.
"This school has been specifically designed for this community, and it will be a cornerstone of Broken Hill for decades to come."
Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:
"Our Broken Hill community has come together over the last two years with students, families and teachers patiently awaiting this moment, and it is wonderful to see construction now underway and the school on track to open next year.
"Willyama High School students and staff will have an environment that supports their education journey, and I look forward to seeing the project come to life."
Director of Educational Leadership for Far West NSW Peter Macbeth said:
"Today is a proud day for the Broken Hill community. What's made this project special is the work and collaboration it has taken to deliver a school designed for students, staff and local families.
"With construction now underway, we are looking forward to watching the new school begin to take shape."
