Board rejects controversial suburbs names proposed for Blacktown City
The Geographical Names Board has knocked back three new suburbs proposed by Blacktown Council for the region’s north west.
- Restaurants announced for new Eastern Creek dining precinct
- Named and shamed: Blacktown eateries busted for food safety breaches
Controversial plans to change the names of several suburbs in Blacktown City have been knocked back by a state board.
The Geographical Names Board (GNB) last week rejected the proposed new suburbs of Wran, Lynch and Kwigan as part of Blacktown Council’s plans to amend the boundaries and names of suburbs in the region’s north west.
The decision comes in response to community objections to rename parts of Schofields, Riverstone and Rouse Hill after former NSW Premier Neville Wran, former Blacktown mayor Jim Lynch and the native Kwigan shrub.
“The proposed suburb names … were rejected based on the objections received and concern the names did not reflect community interest or represent local usage,” a board spokesman said.
“The board acknowledges the significant contribution of Neville Wran to the state of NSW.
“Given the feedback received … the board felt this proposal was not the most appropriate way to commemorate him.”
The names board received close to 400 submissions from the public during community consultations, with 356 of these objecting to the proposal. The suburbs of Wran, Lynch and Kwigan received the most objections.
Blacktown Council will now consider alternative names Tallawong (Wran), Nirimba Fields (Lynch) and Grantham Farm (Kwigan).
At last night’s council meeting, councillors voted in support of Mayor Stephen Bali’s recommendation for the board to take the alternative names to the public.
However, Cr Stephen Bali said he was disappointed by the board’s decision.
“Two of these names feature civic leaders who will now not be honoured in our new suburbs, which is in contravention to generally-accepted naming principles both in Blacktown and nationally,” he said.
“I am advised the name of Nirimba Fields that is now recommended by the GNB to replace Lynch does not comply with its naming guidelines.
“The repeated suggestion from the public of Grantham Farm as a suburb name was not seen as appropriate by us … as it would create confusion with Grantham in Seven Hills.”
Councillors Linda Santos and Jess and Jaymes Diaz, who have publicly expressed their opposition to the council’s name change proposal, last night voted against the move to progress with the revised names.
Cr Santos said more time was needed to consult residents about the proposal.
“At this late stage I am still getting people complaining about the change of names,” she said.
“We need to take more time with the issue.”
Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale, however, hit back, arguing that the council “deal with it now”.
“How long can this go on? You can’t please all of the people all of the time,” Cr Bleasdale said.
Despite the board ruling against three names, it endorsed the council’s proposal to progress with the names Angus, Melonba and Richards and amend the boundaries of Marsden Park, Riverstone, Rouse Hill, Shanes Park and Vineyard.
Final approval now rests with the NSW Minister for Finance and Services.
WHAT THE CHANGES MEAN FOR YOU
Melonba: New suburb comprising part of the existing suburb of Marsden Park.
Angus: New suburb comprising parts of the existing suburbs of Marsden Park and Riverstone.
Richards: New suburb comprising parts of the existing suburbs of Riverstone and Vineyard.
Nirimba Fields: Proposed new suburb comprising part of the existing suburb of Schofields. Originally proposed as Lynch.
Grantham Farm: Proposed new suburb comprising part of the existing suburb of Riverstone. Originally proposed as Kwigan.
Tallawong: Proposed new suburb comprising part of the existing suburbs of Schofields and Rouse Hill. Originally proposed as Wran.
High-ranking bikie hit with 46 illegal hunting charges
A high-ranking Bandido in Sydney’s west has been hit with several firearm and drug supply charges after a raid of his home also uncovered pig dog collars with electronic shock probes.
Meet the talented young artists from ARTEXPRESS 2025
The annual art exhibition which shows some of the most outstanding and exemplary artworks across NSW by HSC visual arts students has opened. Meet the students and see their amazing works.