Mate what a great idea. I've been thinking on it myself.
We could have the "eastern" bases & planets on one side, then a looooooooooooong tradelane to the west. This lane could be lovingly referred to as the "far canal", due to the dangers of constant disruption, etc.
In the west we could have Fremantle, Geraldton, Exmouth, w/e. (Can't have Perth, already taken)