Elected City of Cockburn councillors Phil Eva (central ward), Lyndsey Wetton (west ward), Mayor Logan Howlett, Lee- Anne Smith (east ward) and Bart Houwen (central ward).
Camera IconElected City of Cockburn councillors Phil Eva (central ward), Lyndsey Wetton (west ward), Mayor Logan Howlett, Lee- Anne Smith (east ward) and Bart Houwen (central ward). Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Kwinana land grab plan

Bryce Luff, Cockburn GazetteFremantle Gazette

After holding a special meeting on Friday, Kwinana council announced it had submitted a new reform proposal to the Local Government Advisory Board.

The proposal involves Kwinana’s borders expanding north to Beeliar Drive/ Armadale Road with Fremantle and Melville extending their borders south, effectively eliminating Cockburn from the map.

But just like earlier this month when Melville announced they would make a play for Jandakot airport, the City remained unperturbed.

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‘Kwinana can put in any submission it wants,’ Mr Howlett said. ‘That’s their right.

‘We are disappointed that they didn’t discuss it with us prior to the meeting, and I’m sure Cockburn residents will be outraged by the grab for Cockburn land, but we’ll be looking at the matter this coming week and from there we’ll determine what position we take.’

Mr Howlett’s comments followed his re-election to the position of Mayor on Saturday night. He claimed 47 per cent of votes ahead of Kevin Allen (36 per cent) and Carol Reeve-Fowkes (17 per cent).

Elected to fill the two vacancies in west ward were Kevin Allen (35 per cent) and Lyndsey Wetton (24 per cent), while Bart Houwen and Phil Eva claimed the two spots up for grabs in central ward.

Lee-Anne Smith coasted to selection in east ward with 63 per cent of votes.

The Western Australian Electoral Commission said its fears were realised when average voter participation fell to just 28 per cent, a drop of 3 per cent on the 2011 election.

Cockburn’s turnout was even lower at just 23.34 per cent.