Cockburn rejects council carve-up, proposes new merger with Kwinana Protesters against the WA Government's proposed split-up of Cockburn as part of the local government reform voice their opposition outside Parliament House. Picture: Ten News/Twitter Source: Supplied COCKBURN residents have created their own local government merger proposal after rejecting the WA Government's plan. Dozens of people have rallied outside Parliament House dressed in orange and called on the Government to take its 'hands off Cockburn. Earlier this month, the State Government stated it planned to expand the City of Melville to take in parts of Cockburn, as well as Fremantle and Canning. A merger between Kwinana and Cockburn was also on the cards, including shifting the northern border of the City of Cockburn further south. However, residents unhappy with the Government breaking up the city formed a body called the Cockburn Community Steering Committee. It proposed that the cities of Cockburn and Kwinana merge in their entirety, with only the suburb of Leeming being given over to Melville. Today, the Cockburn Community Steering Committee handed over a copy of its proposal, including a petition with more than 12,000 signatures to Local Government Minister Tony Simpson. Committee spokesperson Darryl Smith said the fight would continue over Christmas and until the Local Government Advisory Boards came back with its recommendations. "A lot of the Committee's focus has been on putting together the proposal to meet statutory requirements," he said. We had to put the proposal together the 100-page proposal in 10 days, so it has been a great effort. We will have two more meetings before Christmas, with the intention of keeping the pressure on the Premier and the Local Government Minister so this issue doesn't drop off the radar. Cockburn MP, Labor's Fran Logan, said the WA Government's proposal was not in the interest of the city's residents and he urged the Government to reverse the decision. "The Robson report into WA local government boundaries supports the community's view that Cockburn should be left as it is," he said. This is the most sustainable option for Cockburn's future. A final decision on the proposed council changes is expected to be made mid next year.