What made the news in Cockburn – 24-31 October 2025

Friday 31 October:
Get ready for a feast of flavours as we present an unforgettable afternoon of culture, connection, and creativity at the third annual Mosaic Festival at Treeby Reserve on Saturday 15 November.

Before achieving stardom as one of the pioneers of Britain’s pirate radio stations, Colin Nichol of Bibra Lake had already earned his place in Western Australian history as the voice that brought it rock ’n’ roll.

Cockburn has a new deputy mayor after West Ward councillor Phoebe Corke was elected on Tuesday.

Thursday 30 October:
The fallout has continued from the bungled City of Cockburn local government election, with the WA Electoral Commission's handling of it being labelled "disappointing".
See the City’s media statement on the website.

The people who will run councils in the absence of mayors have been elected.
See the City’s full media response on our website.

City of Cockburn representatives will visit a nuclear reactor in preparation for the arrival of nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS agreement.

Australia's financial crimes regulator has taken action against a second cryptocurrency ATM operator as evidence grows that the machines are used for scams and money laundering.
But for 72-year-old Yangebup pensioner Dorothy Dyall, the regulatory crackdown has come too late.
AUSTRAC says crypto ATMs have emerged as a major money-laundering risk, with criminals using them to scam money from a growing number of mostly elderly victims.

Christmas has been cancelled for the developers of a housing estate in Hammond Park, who say a fire rating imposed by State and local government agencies for a nearby tree farm will impose significant costs.
See the City’s full media statement on our website.

Its use may be spreading but artificial intelligence has not stretched its tentacles into council coffers — yet. The City of Cockburn was asked at its October 14 meeting if it had considered using AI or other “modern processes” to turn its finances around.

The State Government is accelerating the supply of social housing by employing new construction methods to slash build times.
DevelopmentWA is delivering a pipeline of 81 social homes across six developments, including 12 homes completed in October 2024 by Dale Alcock Projects in 10 months in Hamilton Hill.

Free advice and supplies will be on offer next month to pet owners who may be struggling with the costs of caring for their pets.
RSPCA WA will be holding a community action day will take place at Davilak Park in Hamilton Hill on Wednesday, November 5, from 1-3pm.

Wednesday 29 October:
At the City of Cockburn’s Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 28 October, Council elected the Deputy Mayor.
Councillors cast their votes by secret ballot using the optional preferential voting system and Cr Phoebe Corke was voted into the role.   
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.

A Chilean man who moved to WA to build his kids a better life unexpectedly passed away in a southern suburbs shopping complex, with a GoFundMe set up to help his family fulfil his final dream of being buried in Perth.
Cristhian Gamboa Cancino, 48, had been visiting a Guardian pharmacy in a Hammond Park shopping centre on October 19 when he unexpectedly suffered a fatal heart attack.

Tuesday 28 October:
A WA-first coastal erosion research reef installed off C.Y. O’Connor Beach in 2022, reducing wave height and energy and blossoming into a thriving habitat, has won a 2025 WA Coastal Award for Excellence.
Cockburn’s Craig Wilson received a special commendation in the Coastal Champion category after dedicating decades, as a professional and as a volunteer, to protecting WA’s coast.
Read about all the award winners in the Ministerial Media Release on the State Government media statement website.

 
Saturday 25 October:
The waterslides at Cockburn ARC will remain out of action this summer.
See the City’s full media response on our website.