Willyama High School will be demolished and rebuilt, the state government has confirmed following an independent hygienist’s report into the mould outbreak which saw the school remain closed after the summer break.
The investigation revealed it would be too difficult to deep clean the school and even if a deep clean seemed successful mould spores could continue to pose a potential risk of harm to the school community into the future.
“While today’s news is not ideal, I want to assure the people of Broken Hill that we will be with you for as long as it takes to rebuild this school,” NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Prue Car said on Tuesday.
The report found a combination of factors contributed to and further intensified the outbreak which was believed to have started in a ground floor music and arts facility.
The school’s air conditioning system, end-of-year carpet cleaning, an unseasonably wet summer in Broken Hill, and storage issues impacting routine cleaning, all contributed to the most severe classification of mould, the so-called Classification 3.
The independent occupational hygienist also found dangerous human pathogens Aspergillus and Penicillium spp that can cause serious disease, were present within the school’s buildings.
“The Willyama community has been so resilient during an incredibly challenging time,” said Department of Education Western NSW Director of Education Leadership, Peter Macbeth.
In determining the next steps, the Broken Hill community will receive further information about the community consultation process, which the Department of Education hopes to begin by the end of Term 1.
“During my recent visit to Broken Hill I heard from many locals about the important role that Willyama plays in the community,” Ms Car said.
“I hope that those involved in the consultation can use the process to tell us about the facilities they need at the new Willyama High School, to set Broken Hill up for future success. There have already been strong representations from parts of the community and it’s important every student, staff member and parent can have their say.”
Work is also to begin on identifying personal belongings from the school which can be safely returned to teachers, students, and the school community. Some items may need to be replaced.
Meanwhile, plans to have some 600 students reunite at a pop-up Willyama High School on the grounds of Broken Hill High School are still going ahead in time for Term 2, beginning on Monday, April 29.
It is expected the pop-up school will provide students access to specialist and subject-specific facilities and materials to ensure the pop-up Willyama retains its own identity while the school is rebuilt.
It is too early to say when a new rebuild will begin or how much it will cost.
