1. How many electors are in the City of Cockburn?

In 2015, there were 62,706 electors.

2. How many wards are in the City of Cockburn?

Three - the East, West and Central wards

3. How many Elected Members are in the City of Cockburn?

Three Elected Members in each ward, plus the Mayor, making a total of 10.

4. Why do we have to change the ward boundaries?

Under the Local Government Act, each ward must have the same number of electors, plus or minus 10 percent. With its growing population, some wards in the City of Cockburn are exceeding this quota, so we need to advise the Local Government Advisory Board of new recommended boundaries by March 2017.  

Wards must also be reviewed every eight years. The last time the City reviewed its wards was in 2008 - eight years ago.

So on two grounds -- over quota and timing -- a review has been requested by the Chair of the Local Government Advisory Board.

5. How can I enrol to vote in a local government election?

Visit the Australian Electoral Commission website

You can enrol online or print out the form.

You can enrol on this website for local, State and Federal elections.


6. Why have a ward system?

The City of Cockburn has for many years had a ward system rather than a non-ward system. The City covers a broad area of 167 square kilometres, ranging from older residential areas in the north and north eastern areas of the City through to the more rapidly growing urban population in the eastern areas.

The City is further divided east west by the Beeliar wetlands chain, conservation areas and several major roads.

The industrial areas are concentrated in the south western coastal area and more centrally in the district. There is a steady decrease in the rural area in the farther eastern portion of the City and on the southern boundaries. These factors lead to a small number of clear options in relation to ward size and boundaries. As required by the Act, a number of options have been prepared for public comment and future consideration by Council. The use of the ward system ensures representation from across the district which reflects the diversity of interests across the district.

7. What is the City of Cockburn's ratio of electors per Councillor?

An important consideration is the ratio of Electors per Councillor across the district which is referred to as the % ratio deviation per Ward. This is calculated by subtracting the Councillor/Elector ratio for a Ward from the average Councillor/Elector ratio for the whole City and multiplying by 100.

In October 2015, the City’s ratios were:


No of Elected Members

2015 No of voters

Ward ratio average

% difference




















The expectation is that all wards have a similar population, plus or minus 10 per cent. A negative number means the ward is under-represented and a positive means it has too many Elected Members per electors.

So the City can either increase its number of Elected Members in various wards, or re-draw the boundaries so that the number of electors in each ward is similar.

(positive) means that the ward is over represented compared to the

rest of the Wards.