The South West Group member Councils include
Collectively, these local government municipalities form the South West Metropolitan Region and are a recognised sub-region of the Perth Metropolitan Area.
City of Cockburn
The City of Cockburn is location 22km south of the Perth CBD. It is one of the fastest growing local governments in Australia, with its 2016 population forecast at 110,314. It is a major business location for industry clusters associated with manufacturing, construction, warehousing and logistics, with key nodes including the Cockburn Regional Centre, Jandakot City, the Australian Marine Complex and Bibra Lake Industrial Area. The City also comprises the major component of the Western Trade Coast, including 1100ha associated with the development of the master planned industrial estate known as Latitude 32.
Key challenges and opportunities for Cockburn’s future include the right infrastructure provision that delivers economic growth. The City has an enterprise arc (comprising Armadale Road and Beeliar Drive, including a new freeway interchange and bridge at North Lake Road) that links the Western Trade Coast and its key industrial locations through to the southeast corridor where major supply chains and employee markets exists.
Further information on the City of Cockburn can be found here.
Town of East Fremantle
The Town of East Fremantle is located a few kilometres from the heart of Fremantle and about 15 kilometres south west of the Perth CBD. With a relatively high socio-economic profile amongst its 8,000 residents in 2016, the Town’s character is strongly influenced by heritage, particularly the George Street precinct, and the Swan River which runs along its western and northern boundaries.
The pending sale of the 14ha Defence property Leeuwin Barracks will coincide with the Town completing long term development plans for the river foreshore and community facilities including the East Fremantle Oval precinct. These plans will be that catalyst for high quality recreation facilities, parks, playgrounds, footpaths and cycle ways that will further improve the amenity of this strategic location.
Further information on the Town of East Fremantle can be found here.
City of Fremantle
The City of Fremantle, with a population of over 32,000 people in 2016, has played an influential role in the development of the state and a long history steeped in heritage and culture. Located 18 kilometres from the Perth CBD, and referred to as “Perth’s second city”, Fremantle is a central precinct connecting the northern and southern suburbs. Home to the Fremantle Port, the State’s fishing fleet, WA’s major cruise ship destination, cosmopolitan café strip lifestyle and some of the oldest buildings in WA, Fremantle has attracted a diverse mix of visitors, residents and businesses.
The city is embarking on a major redevelopment of its city centre and adjacent areas through an ambitious plan that will see the population increase some 10,000 to 40,000 over the next decade. Having recently been announced as one of the “top 10 places to visit in the world in 2016” by Lonely planet, Fremantle is well placed to capitalise on increased density, growth, tourism and commercial investment opportunities.
Further information on the City of Fremantle can be found here.
City of Kwinana
The City of Kwinana is located 40 kilometres from the Perth CBD and is positioned on the doorstep of one of the largest employment centres and economic drivers in the state, being the Kwinana Industrial Area and the Lattitude 32 industrial area that form major facilities of the Western Trade Coast. There are also proposals for a major port facility and intermodal freight terminal in Kwinana to reduce the reliance on Fremantle Port as the State’s preier container port. Kwinana’s population of almost 40,000 residents is recognised for its high proportion youth and inherent issues in managing areas of disadvantage such as unemployment, education, indigenous and welfare dependency.
The recently developed and high quality transit orientated residential development around the Wellard train station and expansion of the Kwinana city centre shopping and commercial precinct signifies an emerging optimism and greater opportunities for the City of Kwinana, surrounding areas and the community. Linkages to transport infrastructure and improved connections between the public transport and the city centre will be important to ensure the city centre redevelopment maximises accessibility and mobility.
Further information on the City of Kwinana can be found here.
City of Melville
The City of Melville is located 8 kilometres from the Perth CBD and has a population of alomost 110,000 people in 2016. Located next to the Garden City Shopping Centre, which is one of the largest retail destinations south of Perth, the City is centrally positioned to take advantage of its diverse array of commercial and retail growth opportunities, natural features and recreational attractions.
The Murdoch Activity Centre (MAC) located a few kilometres south, is shaping up to be the largest employment centre outside the Perth CBD, with 35,000 jobs at full development to service the Fiona Stanley Hospital and expansions to Murdoch University, St John of God Hospital and Challenger TAFE. Urgent attention and ongoing investment in transport infrastructure is required to ensure that the MAC operates effectively. The Canning Bridge precinct is also planned for major development and consolidation as a key commercial, entertainment and residential activity centre.
Further information on the City of Melville can be found here.
City of Rockingham
The City of Rockingham is the fastest growing area in the region, with an estimated resident population of around 125,000 people which is expected to increase to about 200,000 in 20 years. With approximately 40 kilometres of some of the most spectacular coastline in Perth’s beach-loving metropolitan area, the City of Rockingham is well known as the place “where the coast comes to life”.
Balancing the needs of a burgeoning population with the stewardship of some of the region’s highest conservation value terrestrial and marine environments presents many challenges. Other issues include an expanding city centre, ongoing growth of Australia’s largest naval base, the Mangles Bay marina project, the provision of primary transport routes and linkages, and improving access to public transport
Further information on the City of Rockingham can be found here.