Families from Lismore have been given certainty as the NSW Government commits to rebuilding Lismore South Public School on its original site, in line with the popular views of the community, after the campus was badly damaged during the devastating 2022 floods.

The project will include a whole-of-school rebuild, with a new school hall, canteen, Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) space, a new administration area, new classrooms, three support classrooms and rebuild of the Ngulliboo Jarjums Preschool, which was also inundated by floodwaters.

All of the buildings will be raised 1.2 metres higher than flood levels expected during a one in 500-year flood, and 0.5 metres higher than the flood levels reached in 2022, to ensure the school is resilient against future flooding. The raised buildings will also provide valuable undercover learning and play areas.

Extensive investigations into the viability of rebuilding Lismore South School at the Phyllis Street site were undertaken before the Department of Education confirmed it would submit a planning application to rebuild on the original school site.

This included consulting with stakeholders including the NSW State Emergency Service, the Lismore City Council, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and the NSW Reconstruction Authority to determine a plan that met flood height requirements, emergency provisions, safety and planning requirements.

Community consultations found Lismore locals have a strong preference for Lismore South Public School to be rebuilt at its original location on Phyllis Street.

The community is invited to attend an information session to learn more about the project and next steps.

The session will be held on Wednesday, 20 March from 3pm – 5pm in the Lismore South Public School Hall.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said, “The Lismore community has been through a difficult time since the 2022 floods, and rebuilding this school will provide certainty for the Lismore South school community.

“I’d like to thank Lismore locals for their patience while the Department carried out this important planning work to deliver a brand new build for their school.”

Member for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “This is an important milestone for the school community and it is testament to the hard work and careful planning involved in getting our school back up and running.

“I'd like to thank the community for its patience as we work to build a new, flood resilient South Lismore Public School.

“The community’s support and co-operation has been invaluable and made it possible for us to start to deliver this new build.”

Mayor of Lismore City Council Steve Krieg said, “This school community has been through so much in the last few years.

“Having visited their temporary location, and meeting with staff and students it is clear that Lismore South Public School wants to stay in South Lismore. 

“This is a brave and bold decision that will assist in rebuilding young people’s confidence in their future, and that of Lismore itself.”

Lismore South Public School Principal Larissa Polak said, “I am delighted to hear our Lismore South school community will be returning to its permanent home, in modern classrooms and with new facilities.

“Our school has shown incredible resilience over the last two years, and the news our school will be built back in a more flood-resistant building will give our students even more enthusiasm to learn.”