Editor’s note: Artist impressions and flythroughs available here, drone footage and grabs available here.
Students and staff from Condong Public School have marked the next phase of construction on the rebuild of their school, with the delivery and installation of the new school building modules.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos joined school community to welcome the arrival of the new classrooms, which are being craned onto a raised steel gantry.
The installation of the school buildings is taking place in two stages, with the next phase scheduled for mid-August.
Nearby Tumbulgum Public School will soon follow the same rebuild process, with the school’s modules manufactured offsite and ready for installation late next month.
New buildings at both schools will be raised above the previous flood level, making them more flood resilient, while also providing new, modern classrooms, a new library, a canteen, administration spaces, and external landscaping.
Both rebuilt schools are expected to be completed and ready for students and teachers to use later this year and are part of a broader effort to build back better following the 2022 floods.
At Condong Public School, the department is working with the local community to preserve significant items, including the Great War Honour Roll, painted murals, and plaques. The department is also working with the community at Tumbulgum Public School to restore the old school bell and repurpose historical building materials as part of its Heritage Interpretation Strategy.
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.
A portion of the funding for the school projects has been allocated through 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 of these brand new classrooms marks a significant step for Condong Public School and Tumbulgum Public School, as the Minns Labor Government builds both back better and more resilient.
“I want to thank the school and the local community for their patience during this challenging period, and look forward to students returning to their new classrooms by the end of the year.”
Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:
“The rebuilding of schools across the region that were devastated by the 2022 floods is among the most important activities the State Government must be doing.
“Watching these schools emerge out of the flood waters must be reaffirming for the students, teachers, parents and communities.
“It’s wonderful to see the rebuilding of Condong and Tumbulgum Public Schools moving ahead knowing they are among nine school rebuild projects jointly funded with the Commonwealth following the 2022 floods.”
Minister for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:
“I know how important this rebuild is for the Condong community because I saw how many people turned up for the sod-turning to mark the start of works.
“The new flood-resistant school buildings will give students and teachers the stability they deserve after having been displaced by floods twice since 2017.
“It will serve the community for generations to come.”
Condong Public School Relieving Principal Debbie Francis said:
“Having the students here to watch the trucks arrive and see the cranes at work is such an exciting experience.
“It really brings home how close we are to a new chapter for our school, especially after the challenges our community has faced with such strength and resilience.”
“We are all looking forward to the day when our new school becomes a permanent, safe, and welcoming home for our students, designed specifically to meet the needs of our community and providing a fantastic learning and teaching environment for our Condong students.”
Tumbulgum Public School Relieving Principal Genevieve Esgate said:
“Our school community has endured so much since the devastating floods of 2022, so we are beyond excited that our new buildings are nearing completion and will be ready for delivery and installation at the end of next month.
“This will be a major milestone in our community’s recovery and a big step towards returning to a more permanent, flood-resilient school environment where our students can continue to learn, grow, and thrive.”
