The Condong and Tumbulgum Public School communities have celebrated the official opening of their rebuilt flood-resilient schools, making the final milestone in their recovery from the 2022 Northern Rivers floods.

Minister for Recovery and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin joined students, staff, and the wider community for the celebrations, formally opening the schools that local students and teachers have been enjoying since moving into their new facilities.

Both schools have been built back better with elevated buildings raised approximately three metres above the ground, providing greater resilience to future flooding events.

Across the two schools, the projects have each delivered new classrooms, a library, canteen, administration spaces, upgraded outdoor areas and external landscaping.

Important heritage elements of the former school sites have been retained and restored within the new buildings, preserving their history and connection to the local community.

This includes the Great War Honour Roll, painted murals and commemorative plaques at Condong Public School, and the historic school bell at Tumbulgum Public School.

Consultation with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group has helped ensure both schools are connected to country and reflect the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the Bundjalung people.

The projects reflect the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to rebuild flood-affected schools in the Northern Rivers, ensuring schools are built back better for local communities.

18 flood-damaged schools have been rebuilt or repaired in the Northern Rivers since 2022, including Tumbulgum Public School and Condong Public School. Work is also underway to rebuild Lismore South Public School and the Rivers Secondary College Richmond River High Campus.

Funding to rebuild nine extensively damaged schools, including Condong and Tumbulgum Public Schools, has been provided through the Infrastructure Betterment Fund, which is jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments through disaster recovery funding arrangements.

The Minns Labor Government will invest $2.3 billion over the next four years into regional NSW school infrastructure, delivering new and upgraded schools to ensure every family has access to a world-class public education.

In addition to ensuring students have modern classrooms and schools, the Minns Labor Government has transitioned more than 25,000 teachers and school support staff from uncertain temporary contracts to permanent employment.

This follows the Minns Labor Government’s abolition of the Liberals and Nationals wages cap, delivering NSW teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation.

This reform is attracting teachers into public schools and helping retain those already there, with teacher vacancies at a 12-year low and the number of merged and cancelled classes in NSW halving since the election of the Minns Labor Government.

Acting Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of building schools in the Northern Rivers back better, and the new, flood-resilient public schools at Condong and Tumbulgum will better serve local students and families for decades to come.

“These new, elevated school buildings will not only provide students and staff a safer and more resilient place to learn but also stand as lasting symbols of resilience.”

Minister for Recovery and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said:

“Delighted to be here today at the school’s unveiling of the plaques. This means a lot to the school, and broader community.

“We love our local schools in our village areas, they really are the heart and soul.

“I thank the Principal, teachers, staff and P&C – everyone who has made this possible.”

Condong Public School principal Katherine Kolarik said:

“Our new school has brought a fresh vitality and energy into our day-to-day lives, and we are happy to call this new school our home.

“Students and staff have settled in beautifully, which means our dedicated teachers can focus on what matters most: teaching and guiding our students.

“I am proud of the strength and resilience of this community, and so grateful for all the hard work that has gone into building our new school.”

Tumbulgum Public School principal Genevieve Esgate said:

“It means so much to our students, teachers, and local families to have a school that has been built to stand strong against whatever challenges the future might bring.

“This school gives us a sense of stability, and we are excited to be in this new chapter.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way, and we look forward to seeing our students continue to learn, grow and thrive in their new school.”