Construction of the new Lismore South Public School has reached a key milestone, with the first building modules lifted into place as the flood recovery rebuild gathers pace.
The modules are being installed at the Phyllis Street site on a flood-resilient steel platform, marking a visible step forward for a community still recovering from the 2022 Northern Rivers floods.
The rebuild will deliver a new public school and co-located preschool, including 13 classrooms, a library, multipurpose hall, administration areas and outdoor learning spaces, designed to withstand future flood events.
The first stage of construction involves 47 crane lifts to assemble initial school spaces, with further modules for classrooms and the Ngulliboo Jarjums Preschool to follow. The project is expected to be completed in late 2026.
Deputy Premier Prue Car said the milestone is a significant moment for the local community.
“This is an exciting milestone for the Lismore South community, with students, staff and families seeing their new school begin to take shape,” Ms Car said.
“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of rebuilding schools in the Northern River better, and the new, flood-resilient Lismore South Public School will better serve local students and families for decades to come.
“These new facilities will give students in South Lismore access to the high-quality learning environments they deserve.”
Minister for Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the project reflects the broader recovery effort across the region.
“Recovery looks different for every family in our community, but for the students of Lismore South it looks like a new school taking shape, module by module,” Ms Saffin said.
“We are committed to ensuring our local schools are built back better. By using a flood-resilient steel platform and modern design, we are making sure this school stays at the heart of South Lismore for the long term.
“Our community deserves a school that is built for the future. Seeing these modules lifted into place is a massive step forward in providing our students and teachers with the modern, purpose-built facilities they need and deserve.”
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the rebuild was an important milestone for the community.
“This is very exciting for the staff, students, their families and our local community,” Mr Hogan said.
“The new build is designed above the flood height and has 54 modules, including classrooms, a library, hall, and a preschool.”
Principal Larissa Polak said the progress is a turning point for students and families.
“It is a real turning point to see the first modules of our new school going up. Students, teachers, and local families are so excited to see this progress,” Ms Polak said.
“This new building represents stability and continuity of learning in the face of future challenges. It will be a safe, modern school, built to give every child here the best possible learning environment.
“We are so proud to be on this journey, especially after everything our community has faced, and we cannot wait to call this new school our home.”
The rebuild is part of a broader program to repair or replace flood-damaged schools across the Northern Rivers, with 18 schools already completed since 2022.
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