Advocacy

Aerial image of Rockingham train station

Our strategic context

Development of a City of Rockingham Advocacy Plan was identified as a key action of the City’s Economic Development Strategy 2020-2025. This document will guide the advocacy efforts of the united City of Rockingham team, both Council and staff, and is intended to be used as a resource to advocate our prioritised list of projects in the short and medium term.

As the designated Strategic Metropolitan Centre of the South West region, Rockingham’s role is not only to provide services and amenities to its diverse population, but also provide a full range of economic and community services as the capital of the surrounding region.

We cannot do this on our own. We need support from both the State and federal governments to create jobs and deliver important services and infrastructure.

Why we advocate

The City of Rockingham is experiencing substantial change, growing in both population and economic activity. This change brings with it a range of complex issues that impact on our community including job creation, planning and construction, protecting heritage, sustainability, parking, traffic, sustainable transport, affordable housing and adequate community and government services.

Our population is forecast to increase by a staggering 74.21% over the next 26 years, increasing from 137,279 in 2020 to 239,147 by 2046.

This anticipated growth brings challenges, but also a multitude of opportunities. We are committed to working hard to make the most of these opportunities for a better City of Rockingham, both now and into the future.

How we advocate

The City of Rockingham will:

  • make representations to both State and Australian Government Ministers;
  • regularly meet with and make representations to local Members of Parliament;
  • actively engage with and make representations to all candidates participating in State and/or federal election processes;
  • actively engage with local and state media;
  • broker partnerships and strategic alliances with other local and regional organisations (South West Group and Growth Areas Perth and Peel);
  • actively participate in peak governing organisations and their advocacy efforts, including Western Australian Local Government Association;
  • work and partner with State Government authorities to influence policy, legislation and standards, including the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage; Main Roads; Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Department of Education WA; and the Environmental Protection Authority; and
  • submit grant applications to secure funding to deliver priority projects and program delivery.

Our advocacy projects

The City’s current advocacy projects are divided into four categories, with three key projects under each as follows:

Economy and Tourism

  • Employment Self-Sufficiency (Employment-generating land)
  • Rockingham Beach Foreshore Master Plan (Stage two implementation)
  • Safety Bay Shoalwater Foreshore Master Plan (Implementation)

Sport and Recreation

  • Baldivis District Sporting Complex
  • Karnup Regional Sporting Complex
  • Redevelopment of Stan Twight Reserve and Anniversary Park

Strategic Metropolitan Centre

  • Dixon Road
  • Kwinana Air Quality Buffer
  • Rockingham City Centre Transit System

Transport

  • Grade separation at Baldivis Road and Kulija Road intersection
  • Karnup Train Station and associated infrastructure
  • Resolve Feasibility of Garden Island Highway
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