Paul Bibby
Update: 05:10pm, Tuesday September 15
Police have instructed SCU’s Lismore campus to be evacuated
Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said a building-by-building procedure was under way to ensure a safe and controlled exit of all staff and students. ‘The university has organised buses to take people to Lismore CBD, Goonellabah and surrounding areas,’ he said.
‘Before leaving the campus, people will be checked by police as a precaution.
‘The campus is still under police control and we will let people know of further updates as soon as possible via email and our Southern Cross University Facebook page.
‘This has been a stressful few hours and I want to thank everyone for their amazing patience and co-operation.
‘I urge everyone to continue to follow police direction.’
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Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus is in emergency lock-down and police are on site following a number of threatening phone calls.
In a post on its Facebook page the University said that ‘police are currently on-site and all students and staff are advised to remain inside until given the all-clear’.
‘Anyone planning to visit the campus at present should postpone,’ the post said.
In a statement, NSW Police said an operation was currently underway at the Lismore campus after threatening phone calls were received about 1.30pm.
‘There have been no reports of injury or shots fired,’ police said.
‘Officers from Richmond Police District and specialist resources are on the scene.’
‘Police are advising the public to avoid the area.’
A number of students from inside the university have posted on social media to say they had heard reports of a shooter on campus, but these reports have not been confirmed.
Lismore High and the nearby childcare centre, Blinkys, are also in lockdown.
Parents have been assured that all children are safe and indoors.