The Illawarra is "in line" for new schools under a NSW Labor government, Keira MP and opposition education spokesman Ryan Park has said.
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The promise comes after the party announced at the weekend every new public school built would include childcare or before and after-school care facilities.
"I can't announce it yet, but I can assure you the Illawarra is in line for some of those new schools," Mr Park told the Mercury.
"I am confident we are going to be in a position soon to make additional commitments about Illawarra education infrastructure.
"As a member from this region, I make no apologies for making sure we get our fair share."
Mr Park, who is also opposition spokesman for the Illawarra, said Sunday's announcement meant education - in particular TAFE and schools - was "at the forefront" of Labor's campaign.
"It's well known parts of the southern area of our region are getting massive growth in terms of land development, and developments right across the board, and we need to make sure we're building schools in those areas," he said.
"But not just schools; schools that can be used by the community."
Opposition Leader Luke Foley revealed on Monday his government would provide financial incentives for schools to open outside normal hours, through a $15 million School Facilities Investment Fund.
Mr Foley said principals would be encouraged to make their school's facilities - including halls, sporting fields and classrooms - more accessible to the community.
"After the final bell rings on weekends and during the holidays, so many of our schools lie dormant, locked away from the local community," Mr Foley said.
"There is definite potential to unlock these assets for wider community use, while at the same time allowing principals to tap into valuable sources of extra money for their school."
The incentive scheme will be targeted at schools that currently raise little or no funds for hiring out their facilities, and designed in consultation with school principals.
Labor candidate for Kiama Glenn Kolomeitz said the co-location of services was particularly important where distances between schools and childcare were large.
With two young children of his own, Mr Kolomeitz said he knew how hard the "preschool drop-off and pick-up juggle" could be.
"These measures will make all of this more manageable and will also make the transition from preschool to primary school easier for our local kids," Mr Kolomeitz said.
andrew.pearson@fairfaxmedia.com.au