Green light for RSL plan

City of Busselton council has voted to rezone land along the city’s entry road to pave the way for the development of the Busselton RSL.

RSLWA is investigating the potential to expand the Busselton sub-branch to better support veterans and their families.

Lots on Rosemary Drive, Southern Drive and Causeway Road will be rezoned from residential and tourism to special use.

RSLWA has begun discussions with adjoining landowners about a possible joint venture or lease arrangement to expand its facilities.

It has also approached the City about incorporating City-owned Lot 100 on Southern Drive into its development.

The proposal would be modelled on Perth’s Anzac House on St Georges Terrace.

The state-of-the-art building includes office space, a club area for members, a function room and cafe, plus dedicated space for other ex-service organisations and a medical wing.

The plans are in the early stages but RSLWA has expressed interest in redeveloping the site for an independent living and aged-care facility on Rosemary Drive, along with other amenities.

The amendments to the zoning will now be advertised to the public.

RSLWA Anzac House project manager Paul Roberts attended Wednesday’s council meeting and said he would be in Busselton every fortnight to facilitate the project’s progress.

Mr Roberts told the Times there were plans for 10 hubs throughout the State, six being regional.

“Busselton, is equal second with Karratha, in priority for one of these facilities after Perth,” he said.

“Busselton has a huge population of veterans and we are finding there are a lot of young vets who are moving down here with their families.

“We are wanting to create a ‘cradle to grave’ facility that will capture the young, who are yet to sign up for the armed services, to those who have already served. It won’t just be for RSL members, it will be a community building.”

It is estimated the project will cost between $22 million to $25 million.

Anzac House received funding from the State Government, Fed-eral Government and Lotterywest.

In their recommendation to the council, City officers stated the mix of uses and proposed permissions of the site suggested it would be complementary for the community and residents.

Officers said as the sites were set back from the road, the proposal did not encourage a “shopfront” appearance, thus reducing the likelihood of a commercial strip along Causeway Road.