Vasse solution

Eight years ago, in conjunction with the Western Australian Planning Commission, the Busselton Shire Council identified the Vasse area as an area that could take the pressure off the coast, and the region will soon see the construction of WA’s first new sub-regional self-contained town, Vasse Newtown

After extensive community consultation, a strategic planning mix has been proposed for the new town, which includes the capacity to accommodate 7,000 residents, light industry, a town centre (where the shire’s offices are proposed to be relocated), and areas allocated to health and education.

Intended to function separately and independently from the Shire of Busselton as an independent settlement rather than as a new suburb, Vasse Newtown is 405 hectares in size and will be developed in the next decade by Luke Saricini.

Geoff Hanson, who has been working on the project with Mr Saracini, said Newtown would herald the creation of a health and education-based self-contained sustainable community co-existing with the natural environment.

"The light industrial area is in high demand, particularly from the logistics of the wine industry such as storage and bottling," he said.

"A unique opportunity also exists at Vasse for the integration of educational and health services to the Vasse and suurounding community via "smart town" technology via wireless and optic fibre options

Mr Hanson said there was a proposal to relocate the Busselton Hospital to Vasse, in a co-location arrangement with St John of God Hospital in a medi-hotel environment.