With the closure of the school, Loreto is now giving careful consideration to potential future uses for the Webster Street site with the aim of shaping the best possible outcome for both the community and the organisation.

No. Loreto is not a developer – but in the interests of achieving the best future use of the site, it is working through a process that aims to achieve a sensible future development outcome.

This has included engaging with the community, and ensuring that the iconic original convent building on the site will be protected and preserved as part of any future development.

Loreto recognises the importance of the original school and convent building to the local community and former staff and students, and to the history of the local area.

It has invested in significant maintenance and restoration works to the structure, and successfully applied to have the building added to the State Register of Heritage Places. The inclusion was officially confirmed in June 2024.

Barry Park forms part of the former Loreto school site, and is privately owned land – it is not zoned as Public Open Space. The future use of Barry Park will ultimately be determined by the new owner of the site.

The Mary Ward Sculpture has been carefully removed from its concrete base at the site, and transported to the sculptor’s studio in Adelaide where it will undergo restoration work over a number of months. A decision will be made as to its final destination once this work is complete.

Loreto has invested in significant maintenance and restoration works to the original school and convent building, and successfully applied to have it added to the State Register of Heritage Places. The inclusion was officially confirmed in June 2024.

As part of this commitment, the chapel windows, school and student entrance on Webster Street and the entrance facing Barry Park have been boarded up to prevent unauthorised access or breakages.

Regular security patrols are being conducted. If you have any concerns about security issues at the site, you can contact Wilson Security on 1300 945 766.

A variety of potential future uses are being considered for the 1.86ha site, taking into account key factors including its location, history, size and community aspirations.

Loreto is investing in a planning process with the aim of repurposing the site in an appropriate and responsible way, to ensure it delivers the best future use for the community – however, the new owner of the site will ultimately decide the form of any future development, in accordance with the approved planning framework.

In response to a Pest Control Notice from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, a small fig tree – which had died – and a number of branches from a tuart tree in Barry Park were removed after being found to contain Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer, a beetle pest that can cause tree death. The Department continues to monitor all trees on the site. There are no plans to remove any other established trees from the site during the planning and engagement process, unless this becomes necessary for safety reasons.

As it has worked through the process of considering future uses for the Webster Street site, Loreto has consulted with neighbouring residents and the local community to understand their views and aspirations – both through individual engagement, and focus group workshops. It continues to provide updates as new information becomes available.

Yes. The grounds are reticulated with bore water, and this will continue to be done while the site is vacant.

If you’d like more information, or wish to contact the project team, please use the contact form on the home page or email us at

info@websterstreetnedlands.com.au