What made the news in Cockburn – 9-16 May 2025

Thursday 15 May:
Australian Defence Force personnel will be conducting a military training exercise in the Australian Marine Complex, Henderson, on Saturday 17 May 2025. 
Defence personnel will be conducting a variety of security tasks such as dismounted and vehicle patrols throughout the precinct during the exercise. Members of the public can expect to see small groups of Australian soldiers throughout the day in uniform using a variety of equipment and carrying weapons.

More than a dozen further sightings of the African black sugar ant have been confirmed across Perth’s south since the pest was first detected in Bibra Lake in March.

Wednesday 14 May:
At the City of Cockburn’s Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 13 May, Council adopted several recommendations, including approving the $15m Beale Park redevelopment in Spearwood.
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.

Cockburn Council has approved the $15m redevelopment of Beale Park in Spearwood, one of the City’s major soccer clubroom and playing facilities.
The decision was made at the City of Cockburn’s 13 May Ordinary Council meeting and follows significant community consultation and planning to meet the needs of a growing community and Cockburn City Soccer Club, the facility’s main tenant since 1998.

Walyalup have unveiled their 2025 AFL Indigenous Jumper, designed by Jeff Farmer - alongside his Father Jeff Farmer Snr, Mother Iris and in collaboration with Roger Hayden.
The jumper will be worn during the Club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round fixtures against GWS and Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide). 

Monday 13 May:
The State Government has injected $3 million into community organisations, including the City of Cockburn’s Financial Counselling Service, to provide financial counselling services.
For more information on the City's free, confidential, and non-judgmental financial counselling service, visit our website.
The service provides information, support, and advocacy to individuals and families who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Saturday 11 May:
An unwelcome silence has befallen suburbs and towns across WA as a deadly syndrome threatens to wipe out local magpies and strip streets of their iconic song.
At WA Wildlife’s hospital in Bibra Lake more than 900 magpies have been admitted since August last year, most suffering from the syndrome.