Today's announcements on the Richmond River High Campus (RRHC) and North Lismore residential development begin to paint a picture of the suburb's future four years on from the 2022 big flood.

The projects are not separate entities, but part of a synergistic approach in rebuilding an important part of Lismore's future.

"That's the idea of this integrated community," said Graham Kennett, Executive Director Reconstruction of the NSWRA. "That you've got a safe, connected and secure community.

"We've got an extension on North Lismore that aligns with the strategic planning design the council's already got for the growth of Lismore. Bringing education and housing to the table as the first steps in realising that, I guess, integrated vision for the North Lismore area, is key.

The image below shows the RRHC (2) and the residential development (1) side by side. You can imagine future students walking to school and living in a flood-free part of Lismore.

Combine that with upgrades to the Lismore Showgrounds, which will host an increasing number of major events, including Primex in May this year.

Future land use discussions have already begun and will continue throughout 2026. This includes land around the old Richmond River High Campus site on Lake Street and Winterton & Alexandra Parade.

North Lismore's future looks different from what it was pre-flood, but it is more defined than it has over the last four years.

NORTH LISMORE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

(NSWRA's Graham Kennett, NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin and Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg discuss the North Lismore development site.)

NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) retained the same subdivision approval that was granted pre-purchase, meaning that 85 lots will sit on the adjoining RRHC site.

Of those, 76 will be taken up by Resilient Homes Program (RHP) buyback recipients and people wanting to live in the new development. The average size of a block of land is 600 square metres.

How many buyback recipients will relocate or build new houses on the site is unknown at this stage.

"Homes NSW will lead that conversation," said Graham Kennett, Executive Director Reconstruction of the NSWRA. "The RA through the Resilient Lands Program also has a concierge team that will work side by side with Homes NSW, and have already been in touch with a lot of those people who are interested in this site, our site at Mt Pleasant and the site at East Lismore as well.

Mr Kennet said that 140 RHP participants have registered their interest. Approximately 50 of those were for the North Lismore site specifically. So, supply will exceed demand at this early stage.

The remaining nine lots will be used for a mix of social and affordable housing, which Mr Kennett said will have "33 housing outcomes". This will mean a combination of townhouses and units to reach those numbers. The exact number will be confirmed by Homes NSW.

By mid-2026, Homes NSW want to have finalised the expressions of interest and locked in land purchases. The titles for the land will be available in early 2027.

RICHMOND RIVER HIGH CAMPUS

It was more ceremonial today on the RRHC site, off Alexandra Parade, when Minister for Recovery and member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, P&C President Megan Bennett, school captains Beau and Tara, and Principal Luke Woodward turned the first sod of soil.

However, it was a significant moment for staff and past and future students as the build begins in earnest with an opening target of early 2027. Ms Saffin joked she hoped for Term 1, but that outcome remains with the weather and construction.

The good news is that it is a prefabricated build, so it is faster than a traditional build.

"This is a milestone, not only for flood recovery, but it's a major milestone for Lismore," Ms Saffin said. "And people are feeling that optimism."

Principal Luke Woodward was emotional in his speech to an enthusiastic crowd. You could tell this moment meant so much to him, given the journey over the last four years.

"Today signifies a massive step for Lismore and for Richmond River. I'm thrilled to be here, Mr Woodward said to the backdrop of cattle sounds at the saleyards, an apt feeling given its rich agricultural history.

"It's a moment that marks a significant milestone for Richmond River and our entire community. We have dedicated staff, dedicated students and a dedicated community to our school.

"This build will transform education in Lismore moving forward, and it's not just for our students now, it's for generations to come."

The new Richmond River High Campus will be above the probable maximum flood level (PMF) and will feature state of the art facilities:

• 36 modern classrooms
• 3 support classrooms
• 14 specialist learning spaces, including science labs
• library
• multipurpose hall
• performance spaces
• facilities for agriculture, metal, construction and food technology
• sports fields and sports courts.

Ms Saffin spoke about the impact that the 36 new teaching spaces and the state-of-the-art facilities will have on its students.

"They just engage in a different way with the way the classrooms are designed. The way they move from one area to another. And, as a trained teacher a long time ago, I say a good teacher can teach under that awning, but when you've got well designed facilities, that just improves it for everybody."

The new campus will eagerly await RRHC students who have been educated at temporary facilities, firstly at SCU and then in demountables at the back of Lismore High School in East Lismore.

RRHC will be able to accommodate 660 students. Currently, it sits in the 500 range with the 2026 school year set to kick off on Monday.

(A large crowd of people gathered for the sod turning today, from the NSW Government, the NSW Department of Education, Staff and students from RRHC and the construction company Hutchison Builders)