Flood school recovery program continues with return of Broadwater Public School
Release date: 02 April 2025
Broadwater Public School students, teachers and parents this week celebrated the return to their rebuilt school with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the start of a new chapter for the community.
The destructive 2022 floods heavily impacted Broadwater Public School, with the water inundation damaging most of the school’s buildings beyond repair.
The historic local school has now been returned to the local community after just under nine months of building works.
Construction began in July 2024, after the NSW Government used enhanced powers under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act to accelerate the planning approval for the school.
The school has been returned to the community ahead of schedule, with works due for completion at the beginning of Term 2.
The new school was built with flood resilient design, featuring an elevated building raised approximately four metres above the ground, with three modern, flexible classrooms, a new library, a new canteen, and new administration area.
The school also features a large under croft area, maximising covered play space, as well as a yarning circle and new landscaping.
The rebuilt school has also retained historic features unique to the Broadwater Public School community, including the well-loved school bell, and the large fig tree, known as the “love tree”.
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin joined with Member for Clarence Richie Williamson and members of the school community to celebrate the school’s grand opening and view the new facilities.
Broadwater Public School is the 14th school rebuild project to be completed following the 2022 floods.
Blakebrook Public School, also being rebuilt, is expected to be completed next term. Demolition has also started at Condong Public School and Tumbulgum Public School, with construction of new facilities expected to start in April with completion anticipated in late 2025.
Further upgrade work is underway at Murwillumbah East Public School, and planning is in progress for Lismore South Public School and Cabbage Tree Island Public School.
The NSW Government is continuing our work to rebuild public education in NSW, so flood-impacted schools in the Northern Rivers can be rebuilt with more resilient facilities.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“After visiting the Broadwater Public School site earlier this year, it is wonderful to see this beautiful school returned to the Broadwater community.
“I want to thank the Broadwater Public School community, including the teachers, students and their families, for the patience and the strength they have shown while their school was rebuilt.
“The NSW Government is committed to rebuilding schools like Broadwater Public School in the Northern Rivers with world-class, resilient facilities.”
Minister for Recovery and the North Coast Janelle Saffin said:
"Today is the day that we have all been patiently waiting for. It's great to see Broadwater Public School rebuilt, and to see local kids back in their local school’s classrooms again.
“I want to thank the tradies who worked so hard to get the school rebuilt and reopened after just nine months of building work. They’ve built a place which will give our students a safe and modern learning environment, with space for them to connect to each other and grow.
“This isn’t just about rebuilding Broadwater Public; it's about learning the lessons of the 2022 floods to make our communities more flood resilient. That’s why we’ve raised the new school building by four metres.”
Relieving Broadwater Public School Principal Bronwyn Cole said:
"Today is a day of celebration and gratitude for our school community. After all the challenges we have faced, it is wonderful to welcome students back to a school designed with their future in mind.
“It is a joy to walk through the school gates and see the happy faces of our students and staff. Teachers are making their classrooms feel like home, and students are excited to settle into their new learning and play spaces after seeing the incredible rebuild process unfold over the past months.
"We are grateful for the support that has made this possible and for everyone who played a role in rebuilding our school. This is a fresh start, and we look forward to all the opportunities that lie ahead."
Images of the rebuilt Broadwater Public School available here.
