The 13.5 hectare parcel of land, on the south eastern corner of Finchs and Cuthberts Rd, is nothing more than paddocks but new housing estate developments are rapidly creeping west toward the school's greenfield site.

Although there is no timeline on development of the new campus, the college confirmed it had been working for the past two years to identify and source a suitable parcel of land to allow for their future growth.

"It is exciting to be able to expand and provide new opportunities for learning through the development of a new campus to complement the existing Lake Wendouree site," said principal Michelle Brodrick. "We will now enter into a period of consultation with staff, students, families and the community on the design, features and use of the 13.5 hectares".

The western growth corridor has long been mooted as the most likely area for Ballarat's Catholic and independent schools to expand in to.

Last year Loreto released long-term plans to double in size, build another secondary campus, reintroduce boarding and eventually offer all year levels from kindergarten to year 12.

The school's Strategic Goals 2019 and Beyond revealed the expansion plans in response to the rapid growth of Ballarat's population and the demand for Catholic education for girls.

Then-principal Judith Potter said last year the school was looking for a greenfields site with no existing buildings and large enough for sporting grounds. "When Mother Gonzaga founded Loreto in 1875 it was time of exponential growth in Ballarat city with education needed in all sorts of areas, and we feel that's the time Ballarat is now in again," Ms Potter said.

For many years the number of applications for enrolment at Loreto have been far in excess of the number of places available for entry to the school in year 7.

IN OTHER NEWS

Ballarat Clarendon College owns 30 acres of land along Remembrance Drive, not far from Loreto's purchase, but a college spokesperson said there were no plans for possible use in the future. The farmland, known as Buchanan Park, was given to the school as a bequest more than 20 years ago.

St Patrick's College, which released a master plan for its Sturt St grounds earlier this year, confirmed it was not looking to expand to a new site. Instead it is in the throes of developing a shortlist of architects for its new multipurpose centre on Wanliss St, which they hope will start construction mid to late next year.

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