Editor’s note: Images and timelapse of the rebuilt Blakebrook Public School available here.
Blakebrook Public School has welcomed students into a new, flood-resilient school for the start of Term 3, marking a new chapter for the school community following the devastating 2022 floods.
The school has been rebuilt with flood-resilient design, featuring an elevated building raised approximately four metres above ground, with four classrooms, a library, canteen and administration areas connected by undercover walkways.
The rebuild also features a large under croft area that maximises covered play space, as well as a yarning circle and new landscaping.
Blakebrook’s historic bell and marble Great Honour Roll – originally unveiled in 1921 to commemorate World War I – have been carefully restored and reinstalled in the new building, preserving the school’s rich and proud history. The heritage bus shelter has also been relocated on the site.
Minister for Disaster Recovery, Minister for the North Coast, and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin marked the reopening with staff, students and the local community and toured the new facilities.
Blakebrook Public School is the 16th school rebuild project to be completed following the 2022 floods.
Work is also underway on the rebuilds at Condong Public School and Tumbulgum Public School in the Tweed, with construction at Lismore South Public School expected to begin later this year.
In addition, students, families and the wider Lismore community are invited to view the designs for the Rivers Secondary College Richmond River High Campus, on display via the NSW Planning Portal until 21 August.
The NSW Government is committed to rebuilding flood-damaged schools in the Northern Rivers region, ensuring we build back better with flood resilient schools for local students and communities.
The Blakebrook Public School rebuild was approved under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022.
Funding to support the rebuild of nine extensively damaged schools, including Blakebrook Public School, has been provided by iCare and 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 completion of Blakebrook Public School marks a major milestone in our flood recovery efforts and a lasting investment in the future of public education in this region.
“The Minns Labor Government is building back better, to give Northern Rivers children the flying start they deserve.
“This new flood-resilient school has been built to support the needs of students and teachers today, and for generations to come.”
Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:
“The new learning spaces at Blakebrook Public School are a fantastic outcome for students and staff – designed to be safer, stronger and more resilient.
“This project is about more than just rebuilding – it’s about investing in the future of the Blakebrook community, ensuring students have the facilities they deserve and reducing the risk of disruption from future flooding.
“This project is a great example of how the Infrastructure Betterment Fund is delivering long-term benefits for regional communities recovering from natural disasters.”
Minister for Disaster Recovery, Minister for the North Coast, and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:
“It was so lovely to see the kids return to their much-loved school, but newer and better, on the first day of term.
“It’s taken time to rebuild it, but the school has been built back flood resistant which is a great thing for the school community.
“I want to thank parents, children, teachers and staff for hanging in there to get a brand new, much improved school.”
Blakebrook Public School Principal Samuel Bowkett said:
“It has been a joy to see our students and teachers settle into the brand new Blakebrook Public School. There is a renewed sense of pride and energy across every corner of our new school.
“Our new school has been thoughtfully designed with our needs at heart and will support the learning and growth of students well into the future.
“Our school community has come through enormous change and upheaval with positivity and resilience. We are excited to turn the page on this new chapter and move forward together.”
VIP GUESTS: It was an especially proud moment for local Bob McKenzie, 96, a pupil at Blakebrook when it was a two-teacher school in the late 1930s. Bob, second from right, is pictured with girls Vice Captain Calypso Dann, neighbouring farmers Nola and Bruce Shearman, former student Frederick Lock, and girls Captain Indie-Rose Clark.
