What does the new CoSafe mean for you and your family?
Introducing the NEW CoSafe!
The City is excited to relaunch CoSafe, with local knowledge and specialised training providing a more reliable and responsive community security service.
What does CoSafe do? CoSafe operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Officers undertake specialised training to manage a wide range of issues such as anti-social and suspicious behaviour, noise complaints, vandalism, out-of-hour rangers functions, removal of abandoned vehicles and illegal fires.
How is the new service different?
More responsive, making it quicker to attend call-outs
Officers and Team Leaders with local knowledge
More CoSafe vehicles patrolling in peak periods
Greater use of CCTV & other cameras.
More help for local businesses
More effective solutions and engagement with the community
All ratepayers will receive their annual rates notice in mid-August. Annual rates notices have been delayed by a month this year due to COVID-19 and its financial implications on the City's 2020/21 Budget.
The ReUse Shop located at the Henderson Waste Recovery Park has resumed normal trading hours, opening Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am - 4pm. Find your latest bargain or treasure including bikes, furniture, kids toys, tools, sports equipment and more! Card payments preferred.
Having seen many clients experiencing financial hardship over the last few months, the City's Financial Counsellor, Colleen Crowley has a few words of warning for those thinking of accessing their super early.
The second COVID-19 economic stimulus package announced in March included early access to superannuation which is tax free and doesn't affect Centrelink benefit payments. To be eligible in the eyes of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), you must have been financially impacted with reduced or loss of income due to COVID-19 in 2020, AND meet at least one of the following requirements; you are unemployed, eligible to receive a job seeker, youth allowance or jobseeker payment, parenting payment, special benefit or farm household allowance.
Am I actually eligible to receive my super early? The application process does not require people to submit proof of financial hardship or job losses. At tax time when the ATO potentially reviews your application, if they find that you have obtained your superannuation when you are not actually eligible, a fine up to $12,500 may result.
Another impact people may not be aware of is if the withdrawal of super pushes your balance too low, it could mean you lose your insurances including income and disability protection.
If you are planning to access your super early, make sure you know all the facts. Further information and free advice can be found by calling Financial Information Services (part of The Department of Human Services) on 132 300, or speak to a Financial Counsellor at the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. You can also book in a free appointment with one of the City's Financial Counsellors by calling 08 9411 3444.
Catch up with your neighbours on us!
As we ease our way back into normal activities following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the City is encouraging its residents to reconnect by holding small networking events in the park or on street verges in Cockburn.
Vouchers up to $250 available The City will provide vouchers up to $250 for residents, neighbours and community groups to rekindle connections. This can be used for a sausage sizzle, barbecue or other food, entertainment, decorations or to promote the event. If you are interested in holding an event anytime throughout the year, please apply at least a month in advance.
Livestream or attend Cockburn's Special Council Meeting tonight, Thursday 23 July at 7pm to see Council adopt the 2020-21 Budget, differential rates, and fees and charges. In April, Council voted to consider a 0% average rate increase in response to COVID-19. The public meeting is at the Administration building at 9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood.
If you are a not-for-profit community organisation and need volunteers, we have interested people ready to go. All you need to do is fill in the form below. For tips on breathing life back into your community group, visit Volunteering WA's website.
Then look no further than the Azelia Ley Museum in Manning Park, Hamilton Hill! The heritage-listed residence was built in 1923 for Azelia Ley (nee Manning) and offers a rare glimpse into the life of a wealthy settler family living in the Cockburn district.
Azelia married but didn't have any children or many friends. Apparently, she was a very well-read woman who only wore black. Earning the reputation of a recluse, she was known to have stood on her verandah taking pot-shots at anyone trespassing on her land. Her dogs, horses, chickens, cows, garden and afternoon ‘drives’ in the buck board sulky or later by car, occupied her days.
Today, the museum holds a collection of furniture, clothing, photographs, paintings, toys, memorabilia, historical artefacts, and a shed full of farm machinery from the early 1900s. Open Sunday 1.30-4.30pm, and during school holidays on a Wednesday from 10am-1pm.
