South Coast MP Shelley Hancock was joined by Minister for Education Rob Stokes at the Croobyar Road site on Monday to make the announcement. 

The state’s $4.25 million purchase means a second high school will be opened on the site. 

The announcement follows a lengthy campaign by Mrs Hancock and the entire southern Shoalhaven community, generating over 10,000 petition signatures, an address to the State Parliament, debate on the floor of Shoalhaven City Council and countless representations to the Minister for Education and the Anglican Schools Corporation.

SAS was closed in 2016, forcing students to attend school elsewhere and seeing Ulladulla High School’s student numbers reach 1,200. 

“I am pleased to confirm the Department of Education has reached an agreement to purchase the site following negotiations with the Anglican Schools Corporation, with contracts now exchanged,” Mr Stokes said. 

Mrs Hancock overjoyed at the result and expressed her appreciation to the community who joined with her for the entirety of the campaign.

“We did it!” she said.

“It was not always easy, and at times it did not look like we were going to get across the line, however thanks to the NSW Government and Minister for Education Rob Stokes, this site has now been secured as an education facility.

“It makes perfect sense to continue providing education on the site and I am keen to work closely with Minister Stokes and the community as consideration is given to deliver the most suitable education salutation to meet local needs.” 

Without the support of the community, and those who signed the petition, this would not have happened, Mrs Hancock said. 

“Now, this is well and truly the community’s school and I look forward to working with them to determine the future plans for the site,” she said.

The Milton site contains former school buildings that are readily and easily adaptable for use by the department, with the potential to accommodate students with specific needs.