The Anglican Diocese of Ballarat have been investigating avenues to purchase the aging cathedral and surrounding grounds since 2015 but negotiations broke down over the asking price. 

A report from the Ballarat Anglican Synod held earlier this month shows the Uniting Church had entered into negotiations with an unnamed commercial developer. 

Ballarat Central Uniting Church confirmed there was another prospective buyer for the site but could not comment on the details due to contract confidentiality. 

The outcomes from the Synod acknowledge the amount of work the Diocese has put into research at the site and proposed a review of their commitment to purchasing St Andrews Kirk. 

“It’s fair to say that due to the range of opinions and concerns throughout the Property & Finance Committee and Bishop in Council, we now require this project to be reworked, with differing assumptions, time lines and plans in order that we can apply full financial sensitivity and risk analysis before further consideration,” the report reads. 

“Once this review of the plan has been completed a full financial sensitivity and risk analysis and funding proposal will be produced and if there is internal support for any plan, then and only then, can this project be committed to.”

The report also states that the Anglican Diocese was interested in partnering with a commercial enterprise to offset the price of purchasing the site. 

The report says the Anglican Diocese were planning to sell off about 1500 square metres of the total 8000 square metre lot to be used for “sensitive commercial activity.” 

St Andrews Kirk has been on the market for about four years with the Uniting Church of Australia looking to sell the site to cover debt incurred due to the collapse of Acacia College. 

The low fee college in Mernda closed in December 2012, leaving the Uniting Church with a $36 million debt and a plan to sell assets to recover the costs of the school. 

St Andrews Kirk went to auction in 2013, but was passed in at $2.5 million. 

The Uniting Church reached it’s target to cover costs from the school’s collapse in December 2013 but have kept St Andrews Kirk on the market.

The Ballarat Uniting Church previously told The Courier the church is in dire need of restoration and any prospective buyers would need to contend with about 40 years of neglected upkeep. 

The Anglican Diocese of Ballarat were contacted but could not be reached for comment before The Courier went to print.