Developer offer for Vasse SWIT

Vasse Newtown developers have flagged they could build facilities for a new South West Institute of Technology campus at the town centre and lease them to the State Government.

Hanson Property Group managing director Geoff Hanson told the Times they were open to the option, which could save the Government on estimated building costs of $41 million.

“The Vasse joint venture partners would be very interested in pursuing discussion with the Government on either a private public partnership or the building of SWIT facilities which can be leased by the Government and expanded into a larger area if required, ” he said.

An independent site feasibility study commissioned by the Government has preferenced a 2ha site in the Vasse town centre for the new campus, but Busselton City Councillors have been warned funding may not be available for a decade.

Vasse MLA Troy Buswell said a private public partnership model could deliver the facility faster and should be considered.

“Out of the last budget the Department of Education is using a private public partnership model to deliver new schools in WA, which is a model that’s been used in the eastern states for a number of years, ” he said. “I’d like the Minister for Training to look at that as an option. If it’s acceptable to apply in schools I don’t see why it shouldn’t be acceptable for a training facility.”

Department of Training and Workforce Development director general Ruth Shean said any plan involving a private public partnership would need to be considered in conjunction with the Department of Treasury.

Mr Buswell criticised the Busselton City Council for failing to endorse the Vasse site at their meeting last week. He said its decision to wait for the input of universities, which may be interested in a joint facility, was misguided.

“This sort of dithering has the potential to delay or deny local residents, in particular young local residents, access to improved training facilities for decades, ” Mr Buswell said.

“It shows a naïve understanding of the decision making processes around how State Government invests in training facilities.”

Mr Hanson expressed extreme disappointment in the council after it previously gave him an understanding of their support for the project. He defended the chosen site as being able to cater for universities, noting there was 20ha available nearby for any possible expansions.

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