The monastery site and building, which was purchased by a consortium of developers in February 1998, is overgrown with grass and has become a rubbish dumping ground.

One developer, Monastery Gardens, plans to build 36 designer apartments on the site, but is awaiting permits from Ballarat City Council.

The other site developer - Melbourne-based Monastery Apartments - could not be contacted yesterday.

Redemptorist Father Michael Kelly said as the congregation had no ownership of the site, there was little it could do to alleviate the problems at the former monastery.

''Its current state is tragic,'' Fr Kelly said.

While not wishing to comment further, he said the future use of an adjoining chapel, which was retained at the time of the sale, was ''under review''.

Mayor David Vendy said, as Wendouree ward councillor, he was concerned at the state of the site.

''Even though they (the developers) are waiting on permits, they should be keeping it tidy,'' Cr Vendy said.

He said he not only wanted to see the site cleaned-up but for the proposed developments to begin.

The 111-year-old building is part of a heritage overlay which ensures any developments are kept in context with surrounding areas.

Monastery Gardens spokesperson Marie Bamford said yesterday construction of the 36 apartments would begin later this year.

She said increased security over the past 12 months had stopped most of the vandalism.

National Trust of Australia Victorian branch campaign coordinator Rohan Storey said the condition of the site was a concern, but fortunately a development had been mooted, unlike many other heritage sites which ended up unoccupied and derelict.