Historic Blakebrook Public School buildings near Lismore to be bulldozed for revamp after 2022 floods

Heritage listed school buildings in the state’s north are in line to be demolished and a school revamped following the horror 2022 floods. See the plans.

Blakebrook Public School is set to be revamped.

A development application has been lodged to tear down a heritage listed school in the state’s north so it can be replaced with modern, elevated buildings after the record 2022 floods.

The Blakebrook Public School application has been lodged with Lismore City Council by developers on behalf of the Department of Education.

It’s proposed three historic school buildings on the Blakebrook school site about 10 km northwest of from Lismore would be bulldozed.

A new school building would be accompanied by landscaping work and accompanying structures.

An artist impression.

An aerial image of the existing site.

Project plans.

Students would move to the empty Goolmangar Public School premises just up the road while work is carried out.

Blakebrook school principal Samuel Bowkett said the temporarily relocation was the best option in the circumstances, but not desirable.

“We will have the school to ourselves, and it will become Blakebrook Public School while we are there,” he said.

The three old weatherboard buildings include the original Tuncester School – established about 1875 and later moved to the site in 1972.

Meanwhile, the original Boggumbil Public School, founded in 1887, was also relocated to the site in 1946 and converted to a library.

The original Blakebrook school building was built in 1906, prior to the school’s 1907 opening.

Other notable heritage listed items are a weatherboard bus shelter and a World War One honour roll.

The initial cost has been estimated at $589,325, but another application is set to follow.

A department spokesman said keeping the old buildings was not suitable, according to expert structural and flooding advice.

The school is set to be modernised.

Blakebrook Public School was impacted by the 2022 floods.

“Due to the buildings being below the habitable flood level and the damage sustained from the February and March 2022 floods, they will need to be demolished,” he said.

“Select materials will be retained on site if required by the statement of heritage impact report.

“The Department of Education is committed to rebuilding flood impacted schools in the Northern Rivers region, ensuring we build back better with more flood resilient schools for local students and local communities.”

An artist impression.

Project plans.

The revamped school would be more resistant to flooding and include four new flexible classrooms, a library, administration area, staffroom, canteen and storage.

New furniture and fittings are also on the cards.

The revamped school would include an undercroft for play and learning, the spokesman said.

If approved, it’s expected work will start later this year.