What made the news in Cockburn – 15-22 August 2025

Friday 22 August:
Protecting wildlife for future generations is the motivation for Turtle Tracker volunteers Brian and Janet Bell of Atwell.
As the annual nesting season for female Southwestern Snake-Necked Turtles (Chelodina oblonga) approaches, the Bells have called on fellow wildlife lovers to share their passion for Cockburn’s unique environment. Two Turtle Tracker training sessions are planned for 30 August and 3 September.

Plans for a single-lane roundabout at a busy Spearwood intersection have been abandoned after opposition from the community.

Coogee painter Greg Baker is showing no signs of slowing down despite holding his first exhibition nearly half a century ago.
He will exhibit his work at the Atrium Gallery, Old Customs House, Fremantle from 29 August.

Cockburn’s latest tourism attraction has moved closer, with Aventuur securing backers for its long-mooted Perth Surf Park.

Council reignites fireworks fears.
Have your say on the City of Cockburn’s draft fireworks policy at our community consultation website Comment on Cockburn until 4pm 29 August.
The City of Cockburn does not decide if fireworks can or cannot happen - this is the responsibility of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (DLGIRS).
The draft policy has been developed to set minimum standards to make fireworks displays safer, more environmentally responsible, and better managed.
The policy will assist the City to know how to respond when DLGIRS consults us for our view on the application.

Cockburn’s deputy mayor has thrown her hat in the ring for the top job, bring the number of candidates for October’s election to three so far.

Nineteen-year-old student and community organiser Reuben Smalley has announced he’s running for Cockburn’s East Ward, promising “a new kind of leadership that prioritises genuine community engagement and fresh thinking.”

A mobile coffee van is locked in a stoush with the City of Cockburn after setting up in a Yangebup car park earlier this month.
See the City’s full media response on our website.

Former AFL cult hero Sam Naismith has been kicked out of Whitten Oval after the 206cm Fremantle ruck coach and a companion were caught spying at Western Bulldogs training.

Thursday 21 August:
There’s something funny happening in Hamilton Hill. Aussie comedians will descend on the suburb in October for the 10th Side Splitter Comedy Festival.
Lizzy Hoo, John Safran, Dave Thornton and Troy Kinne are among the line-up for the 2025 festival, set down for October 17-18 and 24-25 at the iconic century-old Memorial Hall in Hamilton Hill(arious).

The City of Cockburn’s Carissa Bywater is a nominee in the 2025 UDIA WA Women in Leadership Award.
Currently in the Acting Chief Executive Officer role, Ms Bywater is Director Corporate and System Services.

The City of Fremantle is sticking to its guns and pushing ahead with expanding the South Beach carpark despite opposition from residents including those in the nearby Islands Apartments in North Coogee, which is in the City of Cockburn.

Several Cockburn organisations will share in grants to improve accessibility & cultural awareness across the federal electorate of Fremantle.

The Dockers have unveiled their 2025 AFLW Indigenous jumper, featuring artwork and design by former Dockers AFLW ruck Alicia Janz.

Cockburn resident and City of Cockburn Sports Hall of Fame inductee Benjamin Rowe is one of three people in the Westfield Booragoon shortlist for the eighth annual Westfield Local Heroes program.

Wednesday 20 August:
The seaside Cockburn suburb of Coogee is one of five locations for new community batteries across Perth.

Old Soul Coffee Co had only been operating for a fortnight in south Perth's Yangebup Primary School car park when the City of Cockburn council shut it down last week.
See the City’s full media response on our website.

Monday 18 August:
The City of Cockburn featured in the national top five of local governments in a survey of Snap Send Solv app users.

Sunday 17 August:
Dockers AFLW stars Gabby Newton and Kiara Bowers celebrated their 50-game milestones in style, the key duo helping the Dockers to a hard-fought 22-point win against a dogged Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval in their season opener on Sunday.