The City of Cockburn is in the top 10 growth areas for small business activity in WA, adding more than 1,600 new businesses to the ledger between 2020-2025.
Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) research into the outlook for WA small businesses until 2036, reveal Cockburn increased its small business and sole trader operators by 20 per cent over the past five years.
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said Cockburn continued to attract new businesses due to its strong population growth, strategic location in the Western Trade Coast and available transport connections.
“Our City, which is a member of the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly local government alliance, has a dedicated Business and Economic Development team guided by an Economic Development Framework, adopted in 2024,” Mayor Howlett said.
“This framework ensures we harness our region’s unique strengths, anticipates emerging opportunities, and positions our community at the forefront of economic innovation.
“We do this by focusing on place-based economic development and investment attraction, developing the blue economy and innovation support and planning for the visitor economy and international engagement.
“These results demonstrate that Cockburn continues to be a great place to do business.”
City of Cockburn Chief Executive Officer Daniel Simms said the Framework enabled the City to create opportunities for business and innovation to thrive and create employment, which ensured long-term sustainability and prosperity of our community.
“Our City provides a robust business support ecosystem. This includes networking opportunities, industry partnerships and programs such as business grants, workshops, Curtin Ignition Program sponsorship and workshops to help local business access work stemming from the AUKUS project,” Mr Simms said.
“As a result, Cockburn is a recognised centre for innovation, industry and entrepreneurship in WA.”
WA Small Business Commissioner Saj Abdoolakhan said Cockburn’s figures, which put it in 7th position among WA local governments, highlighted the close relationship between population growth and business creation.
"The City of Cockburn has built a reputation as an innovation and industry hub, offering businesses access to world-class infrastructure, strategic transport connections and a collaborative environment that supports long-term success,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.
“It is also attracting new young families, skilled workers and migrants who all need homes, services and infrastructure.
“This new research demonstrates that many of WA’s entrepreneurs are choosing to create their own businesses in the communities where they live, contributing to the local economy and providing essential services to the community.”
The data shows Western Australia counted more sole traders in several industries since 2019, outpacing national growth in many sectors such as Transport, Postal and Warehousing (+56%) Other Services (+48%) and Administrative and Support Services (+44%), highlighting the growing demand for flexible, specialised and contract-based work.
The Cities of Wanneroo, Stirling, Swan, Gosnells, Canning, Armadale, Rockingham, Belmont, Bayswater, Perth and Kwinana round out the top 12 local government areas for business growth in WA.