It is hoped 10,000 people will sign the petition, put forward by South Coast MP Shelley Hancock, so it will be tabled in parliament for discussion. 

The former Shoalhaven Anglican School on Croobyar Road, Milton, was operating as a trade school since the Kindergarten to Year 12 facility closed in 2016. However, the Anglican Schools Corporation plans to sell the property. 

Gumnut Pre-Kinder also operates from the site, although a development application to divide the preschool from the main school land has been lodged. It is hoped the DA will be approved and the preschool and can be sold separately to the main school site. 

Milton parent Grant Schultz said a “huge groundswell” had got behind the petition, which had already attracted hundred of signatures. 

“When this community gets behind a project, it does it well,” he said. 

“There has been significant growth in this region. Look at Milton Public School, the greatest growth there has been in kindergarten with five or six classes there now.

“We all know that Ulladulla High School is getting over crowded again. We have around 1200 students there now and I think it is fair to say a second high school has been overdue for many years, possibly even decades. 

“The proposal to purchase the SAS site is a no brainer. It makes sense on every single level.” 

Mr Schultz urged people to add their signature to a petition, which can be found in several stores throughout the region. 

Mrs Hancock has met with NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes about purchasing the Milton site and said the area was in “desperate need” of another high school.

“The southern Shoalhaven is experiencing a period of growth with more and more families moving to the region, leading to an increase in high school enrolments,” shes aid. 

“An influx of further students would put a strain on Ulladulla High School’s resources and on the site physically,” she said. 

“This is the perfect opportunity to establish a second high school and with much of the needed infrastructure already available on the site.”

For a petition, phone Grant on 0416 270 216.