The City is emerging as one of Western Australia’s most important centres for industry, investment and innovation.
The City’s latest Investment Prospectus highlights Cockburn’s major employment precincts, future projects and investment opportunities.
With strengths in defence and shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, the blue economy, transport and logistics, tourism and retail, Cockburn is well positioned for continued growth.
Cockburn at a glance
The Investment Prospectus highlights an annual economic output of $23.3 billion, a Gross Regional Product of $11.23 billion, almost 9,900 businesses and around 64,700 local jobs. The City is home to more than 141,000 people, with the population forecast to grow to approximately 183,000 by 2046.
Cockburn's location is another major advantage. The City is approximately 20 kilometres from the Perth CBD, less than 10 minutes from Jandakot Airport and around 15 minutes from Fremantle Port, with direct access to major road and freight rail networks.
Five powerhouse employment precincts
Five major employment precincts provide businesses and investors with access to established industry clusters, infrastructure and future development opportunities.
- Henderson is home to the Australian Marine Complex and is a nationally significant centre for shipbuilding, defence sustainment, fabrication, subsea services and advanced marine industries. The precinct has a pipeline of more than $4.3 billion in infrastructure investment and is positioned for significant growth in defence, shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing. WA’s shipbuilding pipeline includes $45 billion in orders by 2040, 4,500 anticipated naval jobs by 2030, and $15 billion in marine infrastructure at Henderson. More than 400 businesses at the Australian Marine Complex already support naval sustainment, subsea engineering and advanced fabrication.
- Latitude 32 provides around 1,400 hectares of industrial potential, with opportunities for logistics, clean technology, advanced manufacturing and resource-sector supply chains. Its strategic location provides direct connections to the Kwinana Freeway, Roe Highway and port infrastructure.
- Bibra Lake Commercial Precinct is an established commercial and light-industrial hub supporting more than 1,700 enterprises.
- Jandakot Commercial Precinct combines aviation, logistics, warehousing and industrial activity around one of Australia's busiest general aviation airports.
- Cockburn Central provides a different investment proposition as one of Perth's 10 designated Strategic Metropolitan Centres. Opportunities span commercial offices, residential development, retail, hospitality, health and entertainment, supported by major projects including the $1.08 billion proposed redevelopment of Cockburn Gateway Shopping City.
Growing the blue economy
Cockburn's 23 kilometres of coastline and established marine industries also position the City at the forefront of WA's growing blue economy.
This provides a strong platform for blue economy innovation, with opportunities in renewable energy, subsea systems, autonomous technologies, robotics and AI. The emerging Henderson Research and Innovation Hub will further support R&D and commercialisation across maritime, defence and advanced manufacturing.
Connected to industry by land, sea and air
Cockburn's location provides businesses with exceptional connectivity across Western Australia and beyond.
Major road corridors including the Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway connect with freight rail, Fremantle Port and Jandakot Airport, while the future Westport development will further strengthen freight and export capacity across the Western Trade Coast.
The Western Trade Coast itself spans approximately 3,900 hectares, supports around 42,900 direct and indirect jobs and contributes approximately $20 billion annually to the Western Australian economy.
This connectivity makes Cockburn particularly well positioned for transport, logistics and manufacturing businesses that need efficient access to WA's resources sector, interstate supply chains and international markets.
Investment meets lifestyle
Cockburn's investment proposition isn't limited to industry.
A growing population, 23 kilometres of coastline, established recreation facilities, natural attractions and expanding retail and hospitality offerings are creating opportunities across tourism, accommodation, hospitality, health, retail and the night-time economy.
Major projects such as the proposed $120 million Perth Surf Park, alongside attractions including Coogee Maritime Trail and Omeo Wreck, Cockburn ARC, Adventure World, Bibra Lake and Manning Park, are strengthening Cockburn's visitor and lifestyle economy.
The prospectus identifies around $1 billion in visitor expenditure in 2023–24, demonstrating the contribution the visitor economy already makes to the region.
Explore the Investment Prospectus
Whether you're looking to invest, expand, relocate or connect with opportunities in Cockburn, the City's Investment Prospectus provides an introduction to the industries, precincts, infrastructure and projects shaping our economy.
Download the City of Cockburn Investment Prospectus
The City’s Economic Development team is here to support businesses, investors and organisations looking to connect, invest or explore opportunities in Cockburn. Get in touch by submitting an enquiry.