What made the news in Cockburn – 10-17 Sept 2021

Friday, 10 September: At Cockburn Council’s Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 9 September, the Council adopted several recommendations. These included progressing plans to expand Cockburn ARC in a partnership with Fremantle Football Club, youth-focused additions to Radiata Park in Aubin Grove and writing to the State Government to investigate options for providing new social and affordable rental homes in Cockburn.    For more information, see the Agenda opens in a new window. Please note that due to Council decisions, some items that appear in the Agenda may not have been carried as recommended. Updated decisions will be detailed in the Minutes on the City’s website opens in a new windowonce published in about 10 working days.

Increased community access to the Fremantle Dockers training ground is just one major benefit of a planned $11.24m expansion of shared facilities at Cockburn ARC and the football club. opens in a new window The City’s CEO will start negotiations with Fremantle Football Club (FFC) to establish a Heads of Agreement. This will enable the City to provide the Club with pre-funding of $5.8m so its portion of the proposed works can be completed as part of the expansion project.

Work will begin this financial year at Aubin Grove’s Radiata Park to provide facilities that appeal to the suburb’s growing youth population. opens in a new window A junior pump track, skate strip, a ‘Ninja Warrior’ style obstacle course, and 3-on-3 basketball half court will be complete by July 2022.

The City of Cockburn will approach the Cities of Carnarvon in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region, and the Japanese City of Hiroshima with a view to establishing friendship and sister city agreements. opens in a new window Cockburn already has Sister City Relationships with the Croatian city of Split, Yueyang in China and Mobile in the USA.  

Thursday, 9 September: On Thursday afternoon, WA Electoral Commission Returning Officer Linda Scott conducted a draw to determine candidate positions on ballot papers for the upcoming City of Cockburn ordinary election on Saturday 16 October. opens in a new window There are five councillor vacancies across the City’s three wards, plus the role of Mayor, with 19 candidates putting their hands up for a chance to fill the roles.

The State Government has deferred work on its Metronet Thornlie-Cockburn Link for one year, with operations now to commence in late 2024. opens in a new window Premier Mark McGowan made the announcement as part of the 2021-22 State Budget. He said government projects were competing for the same resources as the private sector, including workers, equipment and supplies, adding to project pressures.

The 2021-22 Budget includes $17.9 million to build the new Treeby Primary School. opens in a new window

Pharmacists say the number of COVID-19 shots being given in store is rising significantly and have backed the industry to do even more to boost WA’s vaccination rate. opens in a new window Pharmacy 777 Spearwood pharmacist Crystal Yap told PerthNow that bookings had been growing as more people became aware of her pharmacy’s services.

Tuesday, 7 September: Phoenix Lacrosse Club has 570,000 extra reasons to celebrate its 125th anniversary this year, with the State Government contributing $570,000 to the $1m City of Cockburn upgrade of clubrooms at Goodchild Park. opens in a new window State Government funding of $220,000 has come from a Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund grant with another $350,000 to consolidate the grant as part of a State Government election commitment from Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk.   Be prepared to hear ‘say hi to your mum for me’ at Side Splitter Comedy Festival in Hami Hill this October when Perth’s own Rove McManus rekindles his hometown stand-up roots. opens in a new window Side Splitter will kick off the City of Cockburn’s 2021-22 events season on 8-9 and 15-16 October at Memorial Hall, Hami Hill. It will also include a fun lakeside walk especially for dogs and their owners, a picnic for those who love teddy bears, a huge community concert and an artistic beachside festival.

Hand sanitation units manufactured by Henderson-based company, Matrix Composites and Engineering, have been rolled out in busy locations around Perth and the regions as part of a six-month trial. opens in a new window The 10 SOLSAN Units have been installed at Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, Perth Children's Hospital, and Boola Bardip in Perth. Units are also being trialled at the Geraldton Museum and the Mandurah Train Station.