Three Northern Rivers schools reopen after being destroyed in 2022 floods

Years after the devastating Northern Rivers floods, three schools have finally re-opened their doors, with staff, students and parents elated.

An aerial shot of Mullumbimby High School after flood repair works completion in September 2024.

Students from three Northern Rivers schools smashed by the 2022 floods are feeling ecstatic as class resumes in their brand new facilities.

It marks a new chapter for Wardell Public School, Empire Vale Public School and Mullumbimby High School students, after learning was disrupted in the horrific northern NSW floods due to extensive structural damage.

Empire Vale Public School has new flood resilient facilities 2024.

Empire Vale Public School principal Bonita Avery said students were “beyond excited” to return to the 150-year-old school, which despuite extensive renovations, has retained the much of the original building.

“Empire Vale Public School has always been the hub of our small community, and losing the school in the devastating floods of 2022 had a huge impact on us all,” Ms Avery said.

The school now offers three new classrooms, a new library, canteen and play equipment as well as staff facilities.

Empire Vale Public School has new flood resilient facilities and grounds 2024.

Eight minutes up the road, Wardell Public School has received a much-needed facelift.

For principal Kim Wheatland the newly rebuilt school’s four classrooms and front office marks an exciting new beginning.

“We are thrilled our new school has been built back stronger, with state-of-the-art features designed to withstand potential flooding,” she said.

Students and staff at Wardell Public School couldn’t be happier with the new buildings.

Both schools have been re-built using flood-resilient design principles to withstand future flooding events.

This includes raising core school facilities off the ground and designing downstairs amenities which are easy to clean and restore.

Further north, Mullumbimby High School flood repair works are also complete with improvements made to the school hall, library food technology, gym, outdoor areas and staff spaces.

Mullumbimby High School hall no desks

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin knows the school communities have been looking forward to returning to their permanent schools.

“These communities have shown tremendous strength in difficult circumstances, and it is fantastic to see the schools now returned to permanent facilities,” she said.

The NSW state government funded rebuilds form part of the Labor government’s flood recovery works.

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Originally published as Three Northern Rivers schools reopen after being destroyed in 2022 floods