What made the news in Cockburn – 7-13 March 2026

Friday 13 March:
The City of Cockburn won the Local Government Award at the 2026 Western Australian Multicultural Awards announced on 12 March.
Marking the start of Harmony Week in WA for 2026, the awards recognise winners who make outstanding contributions to multiculturalism and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
We are holding a range of Harmony Week activities until 22 March with details on our website.

Animal welfare grants of up to $50,000 have been awarded to 33 recipients, including Native ARC Inc (WA Wildlife in Bibra Lake) across WA as part of the State Government's ongoing support of the care and wellbeing of pets and wildlife in need.
The $50,000 grant will enable the purchase of incubators for critically unwell wildlife rescues at the Hope Road wildlife hospital.

Conservation groups are hoping to slow traffic around Bibra Lake in a bid to protect native turtles during nesting season.
The groups, including the Walliabup Wildlife Warriors, have the City of Cockburn on side after councillor Phoebe Corke successfully put forward a motion asking the city to advocate for Main Roads to allow temporary speed reductions around the lake.

A Portuguese cultural celebration in Spearwood this weekend will double as the launch of a series of books exploring Portuguese language, culture and migration. Author and organiser Mario Da Silva Antonio will unveil the collection during a community gathering at the Dalmatinac Sport and Community Club on Saturday evening.

We’re all familiar with the distinct artforms of portrait photography and underwater photography – talented Coolbellup artist Jasmine Skye deftly combines both, with captivating results.
Art lovers will have a chance to see the multi award winning creative’s work at the 2026 Show Off art exhibition, 21-29 March at Memorial Hall in Hamilton Hill.

Thursday 12 March:
Three generations of one family will help a southern suburbs institution celebrate its golden anniversary this month. Palmina La Frenais began taking her daughter Marie to Spearwood Library in the late 1980s, when she was about six.
A week of free golden jubilee activities will be held at Spearwood Library from 23-28 March 2026, culminating in a community Birthday Fair on Saturday 28 March from 9.30am-4pm. 

The John Graham Reserve near Woodman Point in Coogee continues to face a long-running and evolving battle to stop illegal camping in the area.

The State Government is supporting AUKUS workforce development, with South Metropolitan TAFE signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom's City College Plymouth.

Suburbs south of Leach Highway would be better off moving from the City of Melville to the City of Cockburn, according to residents who believe there is a great divide in city spending.

Wednesday 11 March:
At the City of Cockburn’s Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 10 March, Council adopted several recommendations, including an updated street tree policy.
For more information, see the Agenda.
Please note that due to Council decisions, some items that appear in the Agenda may not have been carried as recommended. Updated decisions will be detailed in the Minutes on the City’s website once published in about 10 working days.
Watch recordings of past Council meetings via a link on the City’s website.

Cockburn Council has adopted an updated Street Trees Local Planning Policy to help increase the City’s tree canopy.

Fremantle Dockers legend Michael Walters joins Seven Perth’s local AFL commentary team for 2026 season.

Monday 9 March:
The Kwinana Freeway upgrade has reached another major milestone with shortlisted contractors and consultants invited to submit detailed proposals to deliver the project.
New lanes will be added to key sections of the freeway, including a third lane in each direction for the 11-kilometre stretch between Russell Road and Mortimer Road.

Sunday 8 March:
The Federal Government has taken the next step in establishing a consolidated defence precinct at Henderson to support sovereign shipbuilding and sustainment in Western Australia.
Bechtel Infrastructure Australia (Bechtel) has been appointed as the design services consultancy to undertake master planning of the defence precinct.

Saturday 7 March:
Hamilton Hill has joined the Herald’s long, slightly wobbly tradition of unexplained things in the sky, after local stargazer Tim Underwood captured something peculiar hovering above his street – except he didn’t actually see it at the time.

Spearwood Library golden jubilee, ABC Perth highlights three generations of La Frenais family and long-term employee Linda Seymour.