WARAKIRRI College has been approved to lease the entire commercial space in Council’s new Civic Centre, part of the Wollondilly Cultural Precinct in Picton.
Following a comprehensive marketing campaign, Council decided yesterday to move ahead on a long-term lease agreement with Warakirri College; an independent high school and registered charity providing education for young people undertaking RoSA and HSC qualifications.
The lease agreement aligns with Council’s property investment objectives and will deliver significant and ongoing economic and community benefits for the whole Shire. The Civic Centre project has been independently estimated at a $732M total economic benefit to the Wollondilly economy, including local businesses.
Mayor Matt Gould said: “This is an outstanding partnership for Council, and a clear win-win for everyone.”
“The college will be a fantastic community asset that will support local young people to thrive who have disconnected from mainstream schools.”
“I can see a significant and enduring community benefit from this partnership, particularly the unique opportunity it provides to support some of our most vulnerable children in the Shire who have not thrived within traditional education settings, by offering them a genuine second chance to learn, belong and succeed. This has the potential to change lives, strengthen families and deliver long-term benefits for our entire region.”
“It is a well-respected independent college which already has a number of campuses, and has a great record for students moving on to study at University or TAFE.”
The Warakirri college caters for students aged 15 to 22 who can’t attend mainstream education or who haven’t felt supported in traditional learning environments. The proposed Picton campus will accommodate approximately 120 students and 20 staff.
Students will learn in a place of belonging and calm structure, allowing them to focus on their education. Alongside standard subjects, Warakirri offers their students varied experiences and opportunities to connect with their local community through work and service.
Warakirri is a registered charity that receives financial support from both State and Commonwealth Governments, enabling students to attend without paying fees.
Proceeding with the planned campus is subject to the finalisation of other relevant approvals. Once Warakirri lodges their development application for the Civic Centre space and seeks Local Planning Committee approval in May 2026, the formal lease documentation will be finalised and fit-out of the space will be completed.
The college currently operates five campuses, plus one virtual campus and provides distance education programs with a combined capacity of 630 enrolments.