Cockburn – Our future is blue
The City of Cockburn is deeply connected to the ocean, or the Derbal Nara. It has been a source of food, trade, and recreation for those who call these lands home and it is part of our identity. The ocean has been our gateway to the world and helped secure thousands of jobs, skills, and opportunities.
Watch Our Video: Cockburn Blue Economy
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What is the blue economy?
The Blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem. It encompasses various sectors including marine transport, fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, tourism, and more. It balances commercial growth and the protection of the ocean's ecology.
Cockburn's vision for the blue economy
- To position the City of Cockburn as a national leader in the blue economy for both the southern corridor and surrounding districts by growing this industry sector, developing the supply chain, and advocating for infrastructure development.
- To attract, develop, and build upon current ocean related facilities, expand marine research services, attract, support and retain local and global talent, creating a thriving commercial and sustainable marine precinct in Cockburn.
Henderson Research and Innovation Hub
A key initiative of the City’s strategy to become the centre for the blue economy of Western Australia and a national leader of this sector is the establishment of the Henderson Research and Innovation Hub.
While still in its planning stage the hub will be in the Australian Marine Complex, Henderson. This area is the heart of ship sustainment, ship building for large and small craft, commercial and leisure craft, marine ancillary services, ocean environment research, maritime technology and cyber security and education and training.
The hub business model fosters partnerships between local businesses and defence primes, it attracts start-ups and centres of research. The hub champions Federal and State Government policies and strategic goals from net zero by 2050 to building sovereign manufacturing capability and boosting export opportunities. Through this unique collaboration the hub aims to be the centre for marine innovation in Western Australia.
The Henderson Research and Innovation Hub will advance the multi-industry sectors of the blue economy and our region as a whole. The hub will generate valuable commercial returns that will drive a new wave of investment and enhance job opportunities in new and emerging industry sectors.
Find out more about the Henderson Innovation and Research Hub.
Blue Economy Advisory Group: Guiding our path forward
Global and local companies focused on marine technologies and business solutions, including, Austal, Hyperion, For Blue, H&B Defence, UWA Oceans Instatute, are partnering with the City and the WA Government to help reach our development goals.
They are all part of a Blue Economy Advisory Group, which was developed by the City in 2022, to focus on the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.
Cockburn blue economy map
More information and contact
Interested in exploring opportunities within the Blue Economy? We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to call our Economic Development team on (08) 9411 3444 or send us an email at [email protected].