The City of Cockburn has made a significant shift in how it handles community concerns, voting to bring public petitions back into the formal council meeting process.
A Return to Public Accountability
In a decisive 7-2 vote on December 9, 2025, the council overturned a policy established in 2017. That earlier decision had removed the requirement to acknowledge petitions at council meetings, citing the "advent of digital and instant communications." Instead, petitions were submitted directly to the city’s chief executive, who would manage them administratively, with the option to refer matters to the council if deemed necessary.
The push for change was led by Councillor Chontelle Stone, who argued passionately for the symbolic and practical importance of public petitions. "Petitions were one of the most accessible and visible ways for residents to take part in local democracy," Cr Stone stated. She highlighted the uncertainty around pending State Government reforms to local government laws as a reason to act now rather than wait.
Debate Over Cost and Timing
The move was not without opposition. Council staff had recommended maintaining the status quo, advising the council to wait for the broader State Government reforms. A report prepared for the meeting argued that nothing had happened to warrant a change, which would require a six-week public consultation period and cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
Councillor Tarun Dewan, who voted against the motion, supported this view. He believed it was prudent to wait for the state reforms and a scheduled review of the city’s meeting procedures due in December 2026. "I think this motion wants the council to rush ahead, spend money unnecessarily and amend a law that is about to be replaced," Cr Dewan said. "That’s not leadership, that’s not efficiency."
However, Cr Stone countered that residents deserved recognition for their efforts. "To go and get signatures on a petition, it’s not an easy thing and the least that we can do is acknowledge it at this table," she asserted.
The Path to Reversal
The issue had been building for some time. The city’s annual electors meeting in January 2025 called for petitions to be reinstated as part of council meetings. However, when the matter was put to a vote in March 2025, the council opted to keep the existing system. The December vote, therefore, represents a clear reversal of that earlier position.
As part of the decision, the City of Cockburn will also seek an update on the progress of the broader local government reforms from the State Government. This ensures the council remains informed while taking immediate action to increase transparency.
The key outcomes of the December 9 meeting are:
- Public petitions will now be formally received and acknowledged at City of Cockburn council meetings.
- The change reverses an administrative policy that has been in place since 2017.
- The council will proceed despite staff advice, citing the importance of democratic participation.
This decision marks a win for advocates of grassroots local democracy, reinforcing the council chamber as a direct forum for community voice.
