COCKBURN was once known as a place of market gardens, but with the city’s population recently reaching 100,000, its best performing crop these days is people.

Mayor Logan Howlett says the 100,000th resident moved in “sometime at the end of 2012” and the place is set to become a major southern hub for fast-growing Perth.

“The Robson report into the future of local government suggests that big cities are ideal cities,” Mr Howlett says.

“The report recommended local governments were more efficient at minimum size of 100,000 residents, so the good news for Cockburn is we are already there.”

How Cockburn looks as a municipality is anyone’s guess but most suggest it is likely to grow bigger, rather than have its borders nibbled at by neighbours like Fremantle.

“Our continued population growth is expected to reach its maximum of approximately 130,000 around 2031, or earlier, as the final greenfield sites disappear and urban infill reaches its maximum capacity,” Mr Howlett says.

The smart money is on a simple merger with Kwinana to the south, immediately swelling the new Cockburn’s population to more than 130,000. Within 20 years, that is likely to grow to 160,000 or more.

The mayor says the council is bubbling with energy and ideas.

“The city is actively working to make Cockburn a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.”

by BRENDAN FOSTER