City of Kwinana mayor says economic outlook good despite Alcoa shutdown amid record low unemployment rate

Kwinana’s unemployment rate has fallen to a record low and the mayor is optimistic the trend will continue despite concerns about big employers scaling back production in the area, such as the mothballing of the Alcoa refinery. The City of Kwinana announced its latest unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent was lower than that of neighbouring councils Gosnells and Armadale. A statement by the city said the record low rate followed 15 consecutive quarters — or more than three years — of unemployment decline. Mayor Peter Feasey said the 2023 Small Area Labour Markets’ September quarter results, which looked at unemployment figures between September 2022 and 2023, were very encouraging. “This unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent is partly to do with population growth in first-homebuyer markets where the unemployment is particularly low, for example in Wandi,” he said. “But overall, unemployment is declining and there are numerous pathways open in Kwinana through marine, industry as well expansion in retail and hospitality industries. “This latest unemployment figure also demonstrates the economic growth and investor confidence in the southwest corridor of Perth, given announcements of projects like Westport, AUKUS and naval ship building.” Mr Feasey believed the region was likely to continue to attract new residents based on the economic prosperity and access to lifestyle at an affordable price point. “This September quarter also included the shutdown of the BP Kwinana refinery, demonstrating the robust employment demand for skilled professionals in the region,” he said. “The industrial area has a rich employment ecosystem that weathers short-term downturns. “It is expected that the continued demand for specialist industrial workers will see the region continue to maintain and improve its economic outlook despite scaling back of production at sites like Alcoa.”