Big city buzz for Cockburn

That is the view of leading environmental scientist Peter Newman, who will push that point at a community forum on April 16 that will discuss Cockburn Central’s long term growth.

‘I have always thought that Cockburn Central would be a major activity centre and, that if done correctly, would attract jobs and residents,’ Professor Newman said.

‘I think what we have now is a small city, similar to Fremantle and the Perth city centre. It really is growing quicker than anyone realises and that is why it is hard to drive through.’

The forum on April 16 is the first of many planned across Cockburn, with city councillor Bart Houwen set to raise the idea of a community bank to strengthen the local economy and local communities.

Mr Houwen said a community bank would act as a source of funding to support community and business activities to leverage greater funding from sources outside of Cockburn.

‘The setting up of a community bank will create banking profits which will be distributed into the local economy which would otherwise be exported,’ he said.

‘The community bank will be a hub for the creation of informal networks of community groups in a way which promotes the development of social capital.’

After previously chairing the Fremantle Community Bank into profit, Mr Houwen said he would like to replicate that effort in Cockburn.

When: 6pm to 9pm, April 16.Where: Cockburn Youth Centre.RSVP to futureforum2013@gmail.com