The future of Australia’s rapidly growing regions was front and centre at this year’s National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA) National Congress, hosted by the Cities of Gosnells and Cockburn last week (29 July-1 August).
City of Gosnells Mayor Terresa Lynes, who is also Acting Chair of the NGAA, said the Congress provided a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and addressing common challenges among community leaders from 20 local governments across Australia.
“Rapidly growing communities face many of the same challenges and opportunities,” she said.
“By sharing our experiences and exploring ways to collaborate, we can work towards a more sustainable and liveable future for all our communities.”
Mayor Lynes highlighted key issues such as large-scale land clearing for new subdivisions, the need to reduce carbon emissions in waste management, housing developments lacking nearby employment opportunities and the importance of providing essential community infrastructure such as roads and swimming pools.
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan K. Howlett JP said the City of Cockburn was proud to be a long-standing member of the NGAA, advocating for fairer outcomes for the more than five million Australians who called growth areas home.
“We are communities that carry the weight of rapid population expansion, delivering infrastructure, services and liveability at a pace that often outstrips funding and support,” Mayor Howlett said.
“Yet we are also places of extraordinary resilience, innovation and potential. NGAA National Congress events such as these are vital as local governments Australia-wide collaborate for the best outcomes for our communities.”
Congress delegates toured key sites, including the Kwinana Energy Recovery Centre, Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, Mary Carroll Park in Gosnells, the Youth Entertainment Space (YES) at Sutherlands Park in Huntingdale and Wadjemup Rottnest Island. Discussion topics throughout the Congress focussed on industry and workforce development, economic growth, collaboration and advocacy, and designing communities for belonging, health and opportunity.
Caption: City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett and City of Gosnells Mayor Terresa Lynes hosted the National Growth Areas Alliance 2025 National Congress, which included a tour of the Youth Entertainment Space at Sutherlands Park in Huntingdale.