City of Rockingham

City of Rockingham
Western Australia
The City of Rockingham within the Perth metropolitan area
City of Rockingham coat of arms
Population135,678 (LGA 2021)[1]
 • Density526.9/km2 (1,365/sq mi)
Established1897
Area257.5 km2 (99.4 sq mi)[2]
MayorDeb Hamblin
Council seatRockingham
RegionSouth Metropolitan Perth
State electorate(s)Rockingham, Warnbro, Kwinana, Darling Range
Federal division(s)Brand
WebsiteCity of Rockingham
LGAs around City of Rockingham:
Kwinana Serpentine-Jarrahdale
City of Rockingham Serpentine-Jarrahdale
Mandurah Murray

The City of Rockingham is a council and local government area, comprising the south coastal suburbs of the Western Australian capital city of Perth.

History

Rockingham is located in the southern part of the traditional tribal territory of the Whadjuk, who form part of the Noongar language group.

Rockingham was named after the British ship Rockingham.[3]

In 1896, residents of Rockingham petitioned to establish a road board, which they proposed be called "Clarence" which was the name of the failed settlement of Thomas Peel at Woodman Point. The area at the time fell within the responsibility of the Fremantle District Road Board. The name "Clarence" was declined by the Department of Lands and Surveys,[4]: pp83-85  and the Rockingham Road District was gazetted on 4 February 1897.[5]

The agricultural hall on the corner of Flinders Lane and Kent Street in Rockingham was used for the Roads Board's administration until an office was constructed for the Roads Board on the corner of Office Road and Mandurah Road in East Rockingham in 1905. In 1929 the Board resolved to relocate the administration to Rockingham Beach and the various buildings, including the Agricultural Hall and the vacated Rockingham Beach Primary School building on Kent Street, were used as the Board's offices.[4]

A new office was constructed for the Roads Board in 1946 on the corner of Flinders Lane and Kent Street.[4]

In February 1954 the Kwinana Road District was formed from the northern portion of the Rockingham Road District.

On 1 July 1961, the Road District became the Shire of Rockingham following enactment of the Local Government Act 1960.[6][7] In 1971, the Shire relocated to new offices on Council Avenue on land donated by developers Rockingham Park Pty Ltd 2 km southeast of the traditional centre of Rockingham Beach, which was to become the new major centre of Rockingham and Kwinana. The Rockingham City Shopping Centre opened in the new centre in 1971. Despite the move to the new "city centre," the community apparently considered Rockingham Beach to be the rightful civic heart of Rockingham, as evidenced by the Shire's decision to construct Flinders Hall on Flinders Lane, despite the new Council offices being constructed in the same year.[4]: pp287-288 

On 12 November 1988 the Council attained City status.[6][7] In 1994, the City relocated to new Council chambers and civic centre on Civic Boulevard.[8]

In 2008, the Council adopted a plan for the Rockingham Strategic Regional (or Primary) Centre which incorporated both the traditional centre at Rockingham Beach and the "City Centre" of the 1970s into a larger, encompassing centre. The plan seeks to increase the residential population within this new city centre envelope from 12,000 to 36,000 through the provision of transit-oriented development, which would in turn support the operation of light rail between the Rockingham Train Station and Rockingham Beach.[9]

Wards and mayor

The Rockingham council chambers

The city has been divided into four wards.

  • Rockingham Ward (3 councillors)
  • Safety Bay Ward (3 councillors)
  • Baldivis Ward (3 councillors)
  • Comet Bay Ward (2 councillors)

Historically, the mayor was elected from among the councillors. The election system was changed for the 2021 council election, with the mayor directly elected. Deb Hamblin succeeded retiring Barry Sammels as mayor of the City of Rockingham, becoming the first female to hold this position.[10] Hamblin was officially sworn in on 19 October 2021 for a four-year term.[11]

At the time of the announcement of his retirement in August 2021, Barry Sammels had been the longest-serving active mayor in Western Australia, having first been elected mayor of Rockingham in 2003. Previous to this, he had been elected as a councillor in 1997 and as the deputy mayor in 2001.[12][13]

Of the current councillors, Leigh Liley is the longest-serving, having first been elected to the council in 1999, while the current mayor, Deb Hamblin, served on the council from 2005 until her election to mayor.[14]

Current council composition:

Position Name Term
Mayor Deb Hamblin 2021–25
Deputy mayor Lorna Buchan 2023–25
Rockingham/Safety Bay Ward Peter Hudson 2023–27
Craig Buchanan 2023–27
Mark Jones 2023–27
Caroline Hume 2021–25
Leigh Liley 2021–25
Dawn Jecks 2021–25
Baldivis Ward Mike Crichton 2023–27
Kelly Middlecoat 2023–27
Brett Wormall 2021–25
Comet Bay Ward Lorna Buchan 2023–27
Robert Schmidt 2021–25

Election results

2023

Baldivis

2023 Western Australian local elections: Baldivis Ward[15][16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Christians Mike Crichton (elected) 1,777 24.43 +24.43
Independent Kelly Middlecoat (elected) 1,770 24.33
Labor Lucas Martin 1,058 14.54
Independent Dylan Mbano 819 11.26
Independent Sally Davies 680 9.35
Independent Rebecca Privilege 674 9.26
Turnout 7,362 30.57
Christians gain from Independent Swing N/A
Independent hold Swing N/A

Comet Bay

2023 Western Australian local elections: Comet Bay Ward[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Lorna Buchan (elected) 3,333 64.68
Independent David Rudman 1,051 20.40
Independent Nic Nolan 769 14.92
Turnout 5,198 32.18
Independent hold Swing N/A

Rockingham/Safety Bay

2023 Western Australian local elections: Rockingham/Safety Bay Ward[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Liberal Mark Jones (elected) 3,048 19.48
Independent Liberal Peter Hudson (elected) 2,815 18.00
Legalise Cannabis Craig Buchanan (elected) 1,924 12.30
Legalise Cannabis Rae Cottam 1,714 10.96
Independent Adelle Hemingway 1,450 9.27
Independent Kingsley Klau 1,170 7.48
Independent Jason Davies 976 6.24
Independent Davina Reid 754 4.82
Independent Dawn Palmer 655 4.19
Independent Dean Bradley 627 4.01
Independent Brett Garner 510 3.26
Turnout 15,643 29.98
Independent Liberal win Swing N/A
Independent Liberal gain from Legalise Cannabis Swing N/A
Legalise Cannabis hold Swing N/A

Suburbs

The suburbs of the City of Rockingham with population and size figures based on the most recent Australian census:[17][18]

Suburb Population Area Map
Baldivis 37,697 (SAL 2021)[19] 87.3 km2 (33.7 sq mi)
Cooloongup 6,696 (SAL 2021)[20] 11.9 km2 (4.6 sq mi)
East Rockingham 311 (SAL 2021)[21] 8.8 km2 (3.4 sq mi)
Garden Island 772 (SAL 2021)[22] 11 km2 (4.2 sq mi)
Golden Bay 5,681 (SAL 2021)[23] 4.45 km2 (1.72 sq mi)
Hillman 1,807 (SAL 2021)[24] 1.2 km2 (0.46 sq mi)
Karnup 2,096 (SAL 2021)[25] 32.2 km2 (12.4 sq mi)
Keralup * 0 (SAL 2021)[26] 40.3 km2 (15.6 sq mi)
Peron 14 (SAL 2021)[27] 1.9 km2 (0.73 sq mi)
Port Kennedy 13,477 (SAL 2021)[28] 21.2 km2 (8.2 sq mi)
Rockingham 15,312 (SAL 2021)[29][30] 12.8 km2 (4.9 sq mi)
Safety Bay 7,662 (SAL 2021)[31] 4.6 km2 (1.8 sq mi)
Secret Harbour 12,474 (SAL 2021)[32] 6.53 km2 (2.52 sq mi)
Shoalwater 4,368 (SAL 2021)[33] 2.6 km2 (1.0 sq mi)
Singleton 4,021 (SAL 2021)[34] 3.6 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Waikiki 12,453 (SAL 2021)[35] 10.2 km2 (3.9 sq mi)
Warnbro 10,828 (SAL 2021)[36] 13.9 km2 (5.4 sq mi)
* Indicates locality is only partially located within the City of Rockingham

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1911 161—    
1921 477+11.47%
1933 1,014+6.49%
1947 1,780+4.10%
1954 2,656+5.88%
1961 2,583−0.40%
1966 4,383+11.16%
1971 11,608+21.51%
1976 17,224+8.21%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1981 24,740+7.51%
1986 31,595+5.01%
1991 41,749+5.73%
1996 57,980+6.79%
2001 70,008+3.84%
2006 84,307+3.79%
2011 104,105+4.31%
2016 125,114+3.74%
2021 135,678+1.63%

In 1954, Kwinana was excised from Rockingham.

Media

Rockingham is serviced by one local newspaper: the Sound Telegraph[37] is delivered every Wednesday.

Conservation

Rockingham Lakes Regional Park, at 4,270 hectares, occupies approximately 16 percent of the area of the City of Rockingham. The park, established in 1997, consists of areas of land that have been identified as having outstanding conservation, landscape and recreation values.[38]

Heritage-listed places

As of 2024, 115 places are heritage-listed in the City of Rockingham,[39] of which seven are on the State Register of Heritage Places, among them Cape Peron K Battery Complex, the Bell Cottage ruin and Lake Richmond.[40]

Sport and recreation

Rockingham is home to the Rockingham Rams[41] in the Peel Football League; Rockingham Flames in NBL1 West; Rockingham City FC[42] in the National Premier Leagues WA; Rockingham Rams in the Harcher State Baseball League; Rockingham Rugby Union club in the RugbyWA competition; and the Rockingham Coastal Sharks in the Western Australia Rugby League.

Sister cities

The City of Rockingham has two active affiliations to which it is a signatory, being:

  • Japan City of Akō, located in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan – A "sister city" relationship based on opportunities for residents and groups to exchange diverse cultural aspects, particularly during official and community visits. "Ako Lane", located next to the Council building, is a tribute to this relationship.[43]
  • Malaysia Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of the Malaysian state Sabah – A "friendship city" agreement in conjunction with the objectives of the South West Group to support potential bilateral trade between firms in the two regions.[44]

References

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Rockingham (Local Government Area)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  2. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "2021 Community Profiles: Rockingham". 2021 Census of Population and Housing. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  3. ^ Rockingham District Historical Society - History of Rockingham
  4. ^ a b c d Draper, Richard Rockingham – The Visions Unfold. City of Rockingham. 1997. ISBN 0-9599249-2-2
  5. ^ "Rockingham Roads Board District (per 5980/96)". Western Australia Government Gazette. 4 February 1897. p. 1897:244.
  6. ^ a b "Local Government Act 1960. Shire of Rockingham (City Status) Order 1988". Western Australia Government Gazette. 10 June 1988. p. 1988:1934.
  7. ^ a b WA Electoral Commission, Municipality Boundary Amendments Register (release 3.0), 31 May 2007.
  8. ^ Rockingham Municipal Heritage Inventory Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Palassis Architects, April 2008 p.22
  9. ^ Rockingham Strategic Regional Centre Archived 8 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Welhan, Monique (17 October 2021). "City of Mandurah, Rockingham 2021 election results". 97.3 Coast FM. Mandurah. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  11. ^ Cooper, Daniela (19 October 2021). "Deb Hamblin voted in as first-ever female mayor for Rockingham". Mandurah Mail. Mandurah. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  12. ^ Thompson, Holly (3 August 2021). "Sunset on Sammels' City reign". Sound Telegraph. Mandurah. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  13. ^ Welhan, Monique (2 August 2021). "End of an era for Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels". 97.3 Coast FM. Mandurah. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  14. ^ City of Rockingham 1988 (Honour board). City of Rockingham council chambers: City of Rockingham. 2006. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  15. ^ a b c "2023 Ordinary Election - Rockingham". Western Australian Electoral Commission.
  16. ^ "Local elections: City of Rockingham welcomes three new councillors". Sound Telegraph.
  17. ^ "SLIP Map". maps.slip.wa.gov.au. Landgate. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  18. ^ "NationalMap". nationalmap.gov.au. Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  19. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Baldivis (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  20. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Cooloongup (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  21. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "East Rockingham (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  22. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Garden Island (WA) (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  23. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Golden Bay (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  24. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Hillman (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  25. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Karnup (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  26. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Keralup (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  27. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Peron (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  28. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Port Kennedy (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  29. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Rockingham (WA) (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 29 June 2022. 
  30. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Rockingham (WA) (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  31. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Safety Bay (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  32. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Secret Harbour (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  33. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Shoalwater (WA) (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  34. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Singleton (WA) (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  35. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Waikiki (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  36. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Warnbro (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  37. ^ https://www.soundtelegraph.com.au/
  38. ^ Rockingham Lakes Regional Park Management Plan 2010 (PDF) (Report). Conservation Commission of Western Australia, Department of Environment and Conservation & City of Rockingham. 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  39. ^ "City of Rockingham Heritage Places". inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au. Heritage Council of Western Australia. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  40. ^ "City of Rockingham State Register of Heritage Places". inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au. Heritage Council of Western Australia. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  41. ^ "Welcome to Rockingham Rams". Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  42. ^ Rockingham City FC Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  43. ^ "WA-Japan Sister City Relationships ::: GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA". Ember Media Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  44. ^ [1] Archived 29 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine City of Rockingham Global Friendship Policy, adopted by Council at its ordinary meeting held on 28 September 2010

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to City of Rockingham.
  • Official website

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