Wollongbar Police Operation: TAFE students are being told to remain indoors as the emergency incident unfolds
- Police negotiators are currently talking to the person in their property
- Wollongbar TAFE has ordered students to stay indoors
- Nearby primary school also in ‘silent lockdown’
Two schools are on lockdown and a police helicopter has been spotted flying low over a building where police are talking to a person who may be armed.
Emergency responders were called to a welfare concern at a private property in Wollongbar, between Lismore and Alstonville, in NSW, at 8am on Thursday.
Staff and students at nearby TAFE have been told to remain indoors as a precaution while the ‘high risk’ situation unfolds.
Police negotiators and officers from the Tactical Operations Unit try to talk to the suspected armed person on site.
Local residents in Wollongbar and children attending the city’s public school have also been ordered to shelter in place for the time being.
A TAFE has been shut down and a police helicopter has been spotted flying low over a rural estate, where negotiators are speaking to a person who may be armed
Wollongbar TAFE staff and students have been instructed to remain indoors as a precaution while the ‘high risk’ situation unfolds
A NSW Police spokesperson said there was no ongoing danger to the public.
“Officers from the Richmond Police District remain on scene – with assistance from PolAir, police negotiators and the Tactical Operations Unit,” the spokesperson said.
“As a result of the ongoing operation, Bruxner Hwy is closed in both directions between Sneaths Road and McLeans Ridges Road.”
The Bruxner Highway has been closed since 9.10am, causing lengthy traffic delays and motorists have been urged to avoid the area.
Police have also blocked the entrance to the TAFE campus to anyone wanting to enter or leave.
Kim Honan, a student currently seeking shelter at TAFE, has said a rescue operation was organized for another student who was locked in their car.
“Wollongbar TAFE staff have just rescued a student who had been locked in her car in the car park for the past hour. She is now in lockdown with me,” she wrote on X.
“She sat down and burst into tears, absolutely relieved to be safe.”
Ms Honan added that discussions were currently taking place regarding the evacuation of the entire TAFE campus.
Emergency responders were called to a welfare concern at a private property in Wollongbar, between Lismore and Alstonville, in NSW, at 8am on Thursday.
Wollongbar TAFE students (pictured) and primary school staff have also reported a brief power outage during the lockdown
Wollongbar Public School has also entered a ‘silent lockdown’, according to its relieving principal Ben Barker.
“Be reassured that although there is a major police operation underway 2km from the school, our school grounds are safe – our children are happy and continuing to learn,” Mr Barker wrote in a short statement to parents and guardians, Mr Barker wrote in an email to parents.
‘Our school is outside the police lockdown zone, but as a proactive precaution, Wollongbar PS is operating under a silent lockdown [and] our site is currently very tightly managed.
“These are the moments when you learn how valuable your emergency planning and systems are.”
Wollongbar TAFE students and primary school staff have also reported a brief power outage during the lockdown.
The NSW Government’s Lismore Disaster Dashboard confirmed an unplanned power outage, but it is unknown if this is related to the active police operation.
More to come