The turning of the sod to mark the start of construction on the flood resilient rebuild of Rivers Secondary College Richmond River High Campus was carried out today, with Janelle Saffin, Minister for Recovery and Minister for North Coast and Principal Luke Woodward, taking part.
The media release by the NSW government says the campus was damaged beyond repair in the 2022 floods, ‘with students attending school in temporary facilities at The Rivers Secondary College Lismore High Campus over the past three years’.
‘The new campus will replace flood-damaged facilities with modern spaces at a new, elevated flood-resilient site on Dunoon Road, North Lismore’.
Archaeological investigation redacted
Yet there are questions around the site’s archaeological investigation, with activist Al Oshlack telling The Echo that the investigation provided to him was partially redacted.
He has requested it in full on behalf of Indigenous elder, Mickey Ryan.
Oshlack also says he has been refused a copy of the Aboriginal Impact Permit, and that no elder was consulted around whether the site is significant to local indigenous people.
The Echo has put the claims to the NSW Education Dept and asked ‘What guarantee is there that the land in question is not culturally significant?’
UPDATE
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson told The Echo [after the original posting of this story] that throughout the planning for the new Richmond River High Campus, ‘the Department has recognised the site’s cultural sensitivity and has worked in close consultation with local Aboriginal people, including Elders’.
‘Information was redacted from the public version of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHAR) at the request of native title holders, and in line with standard heritage and archaeological practice, to protect culturally significant sites and individuals.
The spokesperson added ‘on background’: ‘In addition to extensive archaeological surveying, we have conducted an extensive Connecting with Country consultation with the Aboriginal community, as well as Aboriginal staff and students, and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group’.
‘We are working with the Widjabul Wia-bal Gurrumbil Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate) to ensure the new campus reflects local cultural heritage. This is reflected in the design, placement and landscaping of the new campus which will allow students in North and South Lismore and surrounding villages to learn from modern, state of the art and culturally safe school for generations’.
Media release continues
The media release by the NSW government continues, ‘Enhanced planning powers under section 68 of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022 have been used to fast-track the rebuild of the school, which will have students set to learn from the new facilities in 2027’.
‘This is the fourth time these powers have been exercised by the Minister for Recovery to accelerate the reconstruction of a flood-affected public school, supporting the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver safer, more resilient learning environments for local communities. The Minns Labor Government is committed to rebuilding flood-affected schools in the Northern Rivers, ensuring schools are built back better for local communities.
‘The campus will include 36 new classrooms, three support classrooms, science labs, wood and metal workshops, a new library, multipurpose hall, performance spaces, facilities for agriculture, construction and food technologies, and sports fields.
‘The new school buildings will be placed on high ground overlooking sports fields and green spaces. The design has been informed by Connecting to Country consultation, honouring Bundjalung culture.
‘Since 2022, 18 flood-damaged schools have been repaired or rebuilt in the Northern Rivers, with the two most recent, Tumbulgum Public School and Condong Public School, welcoming their respective students back on earlier this month.
‘A portion of the funding for the Richmond River High rebuild project has been allocated through the Infrastructure Betterment Fund, which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements’.
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