Kiama & Shoalhaven Community College has confirmed it is not leaving Kiama, as negotiations continue with Council over its Railway Parade premises.

Gia Frino, Communications Specialist for the College, said the organisation remains in discussions with Kiama Council about its future location within the township.

“We’re still negotiating with Council about exactly where we will be within Kiama,” she said. “We will still have a campus in Kiama as well as Shoalhaven. We definitely don’t want to lose that presence.”

The College currently leases its Railway Parade site from Council. Discussions are underway regarding the future use of the building, which also houses the library and Family History Centre, but no final decision has been made.

“We’re definitely still there at the moment,” Frino said. “The CEO is still in negotiations and spoke again recently this week. We’re working through the process.”

She stressed that even if the College does not remain in a Council-owned building, it will secure another location within Kiama.

“Kiama is our bones – our origin story. Regardless of what happens with Council and their plans for the building, we will find somewhere within Kiama to maintain a presence.”

The update comes as the College formally announces a major expansion at the University of Wollongong’s Shoalhaven campus.

The College described the establishment of new premises in Building 306 at UOW Shoalhaven as “a significant milestone in its growth” and “a new chapter in the College’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible education to the region.”

The expansion allows the College to access modern facilities and strengthen ties with the higher education sector, enhancing pathways for students.

While expanding in Shoalhaven, the College says it is “carefully managing a transition” of its Kiama facilities and remains in proactive discussions with Council.

“Our presence in Kiama is a priority for the board,” CEO Linda Livingstone said.

“While the physical ‘footprint’ of our offices may change, our commitment to the Kiama community is unwavering.

"We are working closely with local stakeholders to ensure that our presence remains effective, efficient, and focused on our students.”

Growth in Shoalhaven has been driven in part by increasing enrolments at Shoalhaven River College, the organisation’s independent high school, which caters to students seeking alternative learning pathways.

Plans are underway to construct a dedicated high school building at the UOW Shoalhaven campus, with funding recently secured and pre-development discussions completed.

Across the region, enrolment trends vary.

Shoalhaven has seen strong demand from younger students transitioning from school into vocational pathways, while Kiama and the Illawarra continue to focus heavily on community partnerships and short courses delivered in collaboration with organisations including the Red Cross, CareSouth, Warrigal and the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra.

The Colleges operates in the Eurobodalla region in partnership with South Coast Community College and runs a specialist Hair and Beauty Academy and an Outdoor Academy across the Illawarra and South Coast.

A newly updated strategic plan and an upcoming rebrand aim to unify the organisation’s various campuses and programs as it enters what Frino described as “a growth and revamp stage.”

“These changes are part of a broader strategy to ensure the College remains sustainable and focused on its core vision: Building Positive Pathways in the community by educating, empowering, and connecting,” the statement said.