Wollongong population surge leads to record public preschool expansion

by Jeremy Lasek

Published June 25, 2026

Wollongong population surge leads to record public preschool expansion — A new public preschool is coming to Cringila Primary.

The region’s current housing boom is seeing Illawarra’s population surge, putting pressure on essential infrastructure, including roads, health services and schools.

Responding to the boom, the NSW Government has announced the delivery of the biggest expansion of public preschools in Wollongong’s history.

In the next 12 months, the government has announced four new public preschools in Wollongong LGA. That’s part of a commitment to build 100 new preschools across the state by 2027.

In Wollongong LGA these will be co-located in the southern suburbs, at Berkeley West Public School, Cringila, Hayes Park and Lake Heights Public Schools.

“The NSW Government has also fully funded a new public primary school and preschool in West Dapto, with construction to get underway next year, to open on day one of term one in 2029,” a spokesperson for the NSW Department Of Education said.

The Department is monitoring growing pupil numbers at Wollongong PS.

'Sufficient capacity at Wollongong Primary School'

Responding to questions from The Illawarra Flame about predictions of a soaring school population at Wollongong Primary School as a result of new high-rise apartment buildings near the CBD, the Department is keeping a watching brief.

“While there is currently sufficient capacity at WPS, the Department is actively monitoring population trends and enrolment data in Wollongong and Dapto to ensure infrastructure planning responds to future student demand.

“The Department works closely with the Department of Planning, Housing and Industry and Wollongong City Council to ensure planned housing growth areas have access to public education.”

A new high school for Flinders. Image: Department of Education.

In Shellharbour, a new high school will be built at Flinders to serve the communities of Flinders, Shell Cove and Shellharbour village. The new high school will feature 33 classrooms, catering for 750 students, and will be built on a site next to Flinders Public School, opening at the start of the 2029 school year.