The government is negotiating a price for a four-hectare block along O’Shannassy Parade, directly behind the existing Siena Catholic Primary School which opened its gates at the beginning of 2017.  

Earthworks began at the site last week to level the ground in preparation for the sale.  

Integra land sales director Nick Grylewicz said the company was hoping to finalise the deal with the government by the end of the year.  “We've got a master plan that's always allocated for two school sites, we’re just trying to finalise a price with the government now,” Mr Grylewicz said. 

“The early provision of services and infrastructure is really important in new growth areas because it creates community and it brings new residents together.”

The site was first touted as a potential school location in a 2011 Precinct Structure Plan, which identified seven hectares between O’Shannassy Parade and Elanor Drive as a potential education hub.  

While the state government announced in the 2017/18 budget it would purchase land for a new primary school in Ballarat’s growing western suburbs, no specific amount of money was publicly disclosed.  

The expansion suburb had a population of 1014 at the 2016 census, leading to an enrollment of 70 students in Siena Catholic Primary School in its first year of operation.   Dozens more students are expected to join the school in 2018.   

The nearby Alfredton Primary School is also among the largest in the city with almost 600 students. 

In December opposition education spokesman Nick Wakeling said the former government had allocated $5 million for the school prior to its election loss in 2014.   

While the government has pledged to purchase land for the public primary school, it is yet to announce a construction timeline or a date when it hopes to open the new school. 

In a statement, Education Minister James Merlino said “work is underway with funding provided in the 2017/18 state budget to secure land in the area with further funding to be considered in future budgets”.  

"The new school in Lucas will ensure all students have access to high quality education as the population of Ballarat continues to grow."