Residents worried proposed boundary and name changes in Blacktown will affect house prices
MANY of you reading this now will be moving — whether you like it or not — into new suburbs with names including Melonba, Lynch, Angus, Richards, Kwigan and Wran.
Blacktown
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IT’S AN identity crisis that has left residents furious.
Eight new suburbs have been created in the Blacktown local government area and locals have already started organising petitions to fight the changes.
The change is coming after Blacktown Council decided on Wednesday to chop and change many of the current suburbs because of soaring population growth and the desire to have different names for new stations opening on the skytrain Metro line from 2019.
Over 6000 residents gave their opinions on the proposed boundary and name changes — the biggest ever response to a Blacktown Council consultation period — but Liberal councillor Jess Diaz said that was a small number compared to the many thousands living across the suburbs.
The Elara Estate within Marsden Park has been divided creating the new suburb, referenced as “area two”, which will now be named Lynch.
The three names proposed for area two were Francis, Clydesdale Farm and Lang, all based on history.
Lynch had not been proposed by the council for area two but noted as an option for area four.
Resident Trupti Dave said it “was a big fat lie” the council took the time to consult the residents as this is not the result wanted by the locals.
“We’re going to run another petition ... if we don’t come to a resolution we will think about processing it legally,” she said.
Local Arpan Baxi said everyone within the Lynch suburb was unhappy.
“We don’t want this change ... all the amenities are now in the Marsden Park suburb we have nothing, only a park, we are first home buyers here and this is going to affect our house prices,” he said.
But Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali said the residents of the Elara Estate in Marsden Park were one of the big winners in the suburb naming decision.
“The Elara Estate residents got their wish to stay in Marsden Park, so we expect huge celebrations in that part of the city,” he said.
“Residents and ratepayers expressed their opinion and Council not only listened, but changed its proposal in response.
“This is true democracy and community consultation in action.”
Councillor Diaz called for more time to review the changes and wanted the decision to be thought about more deeply.
“What is in a name?” Cr Diaz said. “This defines you. I live where I live because it is Schofield or Rouse Hill and I identify with this and my parents identify this.
“And suddenly you are changing us. Why? Because of the influx of the new people coming in? “Because they have no identity. What I’m saying is, this is not something which is going to be good for both sides.”
NO REPORTS OF AUSTRALIAN VICTIMS IN LAS VEGAS
Labor councillor Chris Quilkey said: “About 6000 people had a say. I think that’s representative democracy at its finest. Most of those people I think will be satisfied with what we are proposing. As decision makers we make decisions.”
The new suburb names and the proposed boundaries will now be sent to the Geographical Names Board which makes the final naming decision.