In response to incorrect online and media chatter, City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett has responded to rumours that have caused community concern that rates in the City will rise by 30 per cent due to plans to relocate its administration centre to Cockburn Central in coming years:
"There is nothing better than a New Year's story that seeks to mislead a community with ill-informed statements.
Cockburn's Administration building has known three homes, including the current building which was officially opened in 1979. Extensions to the building were completed in 2008.
The planning for a new administration building has been on the 'books' since 2006. It has been included in the City's Strategic Community Plan and Long Term Financial Plan with statutory reviews taken at two-yearly intervals. Those reviews have included community consultation, as required by the Local Government Act.
Similar rumours were circulated during the planning and development of Cockburn ARC which has gone on to be one of, if not, the best investment the City has made for its community.
The process that will be followed as we move towards the planned relocation of the City's Administration Building (in 4 to 5 years) will include community consultation, as will decisions around the future use of the current administration site; ie it is planned for the highly successful Seniors Centre and Spearwood Library to be incorporated into a Life Long Learning Centre with the potential for a performing arts centre on the site.
Our community can be assured that the City carefully plans for the future of Cockburn where world class facilities are delivered in a cost-effective manner and existing assets upgraded in a planned and accountable manner.
It is worth noting that the City's ongoing aim is to keep rate increases as low as possible noting increases in 2018-19 were 1.9 percent and in 2017-18 1.75 percent."