Buswell enters land transfer debate

A fight has erupted over the Public Transport Authority’s refusal to make prime Busselton land available for a new St John Ambulance sub-centre.

Vasse MLA Troy Buswell has written to new Transport Minister Dean Nalder to gain his support to hand over management of the railway reserve on Causeway Road.

Mr Buswell wrote that he had been trying to have the land transferred to the management of the City of Busselton for some time.

“This to me is an entirely sensible request which for many years has been resisted by the PTA,” he said.

“I understand from first-hand experience the extreme reluctance of the PTA to let go of any land.

“For example, in the past, they have suggested that this land should be retained in the event that the Busselton jetty would be used as a port. This is absurdity.”

City of Busselton chief executive Mike Archer said the City had written to the PTA seeking management control of the land in 2012.

“The PTAWA advised that as the reserve still contains a gazetted railway line they would not be prepared to relinquish the reserve, because the decision had not been made to discontinue the use of the railway line, ” he said.

The City had entered into a Licence to Occupy agreement to enable continued use of the reserve for the Railway Hall, Girl Guides Hall and Scouts Hall, Mr Archer said.

He confirmed the City was interested in creating a community and recreation precinct on the land and it was frustrating to see it unused.

“The site in question offers direct access to the Busselton Bypass and the future outer bypass and would therefore be suited as an emergency service base, ” he said.

“The City is proactively working with St John Ambulance … and is acutely aware of their need to relocate from its existing premises adjacent to the old hospital.”

Mr Archer said the City had vested control of nearby land on the corner of Causeway Road and Molloy Street, which it was considering leasing to St John as an interim solution.

He said relinquishing management of the Molloy Street land back to the Crown was also an option being investigated to achieve a positive outcome.

The PTA referred questions to the Minister’s office, which confirmed it had received Mr Buswell’s letter and said a response was on its way.