Parramatta Light Rail stops: Proposed names for new network
Cricket legend Richie Benaud and the Darug language are recognised in the proposed names for the new $2.4 billion light rail line but a university has been snubbed.
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Parramatta-raised cricket legend Richie Benaud, local leaders and the Aboriginal language are recognised in names proposed for the light rail stops of the $2.4 billion line but Western Sydney University has been snubbed.
The Geographical Names Board is seeking community feedback on a proposal by Transport for NSW to name 16 light rail stops, which so far has titles including Garung near the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Garung is a Darug word for a baby or small child.
Ngara, in the current Cumberland Hospital’s East Campus, means to listen, hear and think in the Darug language.
Celebrated cricketer and sports commentator Richie Benaud, who grew up in North Parramatta and died in 2015 aged 84, will have a stop near Richie Benaud Oval named in his honour.
But Western Sydney University will not be incorporated into any title despite the trams pulling up at three campuses — Westmead, Parramatta CBD and Rydalmere.
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said once operational, signs and announcements on board the light rail services would direct passengers to each WSU campus.
However, UNSW is listed twice — at High St and Anzac Pde — on the CBD and southeast line — something Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger slammed as a double standard.
“What a shocker that there appears to be one set of naming rules for the eastern suburbs and a different one for western Sydney,’’ he said.
“Western Sydney University is one of the cornerstone institutions of Parramatta and its contribution to shaping our city should be recognised in the naming of at least one of the Parramatta Light Rail stops.’’
Mr Borger said WSU could be incorporated into the Yallamundi title.
“WSU Yallamundi would be a common sense name for a stop that will be primarily used to access the WSU Parramatta South campus and respect the strong indigenous history of our city,’’ he said
“If UNSW can be rightly acknowledged with two stops on the CBD and Eastern Suburbs Light Rail, then WSU should be granted the same courtesy on the Parramatta Light Rail.’’
Parramatta Light Rail program director Anand Thomas said that the names for Parramatta Light Rail stops would reference Dharug language, cricket legends and local leaders.
“The proposed light rail stops reflect a balance between celebrating the past and recognising the bright future of Parramatta as Australia’s next great city,” Mr Thomas said.
“These names recognise the rich culture and diverse history of this area and will embed the fabric of the local community into the Parramatta Light Rail.”
Western Sydney University did not respond to questions about omitting its name, only to say that it welcomed the proposed use of Aboriginal names “and encourages greater use of this convention, noting also the very significant health, education and research sites along the route’’.
The naming process involved consultation with stakeholders including Parramatta Council,
historical societies and Aboriginal cultural knowledge-holders.
Geographical Names Board chair Narelle Underwood said it was important that place names reflected the character and history of the community.
“We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposed
names,’’ she said.
The full list of names are:
• Westmead Light Rail, where customers will alight for Westmead train station, T-way bus services and future Sydney Metro services.
• Westmead Hospital, named after Westmead Hospital and the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, which is adjacent to the stop.
• Gurung, near the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The proposed name is a
Darug word for a baby or small child.
• Ngara, located in the current Cumberland Hospital’s East Campus. The
proposed name is a Darug word, meaning ‘to listen, hear, think’.
• Benaud, named to commemorate Parramatta boy Richard Benaud, OBE,
celebrated cricketer and sports commentator, who grew up in North Parramatta. Richie
Benaud Oval is a short walking distance from the stop.
• Fennell Street, named after the nearby Fennell St, one of the area’s first streets and named in 1823 after Captain John Fennell.
• Prince Alfred Square, named after the local, highly recognisable landmark of
Prince Alfred Square.
• Church Street Mall, takes its name from its location.
• Parramatta Square, named after the adjacent Parramatta Square, a $3.2 billion retail,
commercial, and public space that will attract 30,000 workers once completed and where commuters will alight for Parramatta train station, bus services and future Sydney Metro services.
• Robin Thomas, Stop takes its name from the adjacent Robin Thomas Reserve.
Former Parramatta Mayor and businessman, Alderman Alfred Robert Cayley
‘Robin’ Thomas represented the community on the council for over 30 years.
• Tramway Avenue, takes its name from its location and gives a nod to the
route that the original Parramatta trams followed between 1881 and 1943
• Rosehill Gardens, Stop will be the principle public transport connection to the
Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
• Yallamundi, stop on the site of the former Rydalmere train station, south of Victoria Rd, Rydalmere. The proposed name is a Darug word, reflecting “storytelling” which provides a connection to the nearby Western Sydney University (Parramatta South) campus.
• Dundas, Telopea and Carlingford Light Rail Stops have been named after the areas they
service and are well known to the community as the previous railway station names.
The 12km light rail service will link Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track, and is expected to open in 2023.
By 2026, about 28,000 people will use Parramatta Light Rail every day and an estimated 130,000 people will be living within walking distance of light rail stops.
However, last month, Transport Minister Andrew Constance indicated stage two of the light rail, to connect Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park, would not go ahead after he conceded he would not “rip everything up’’ when other odes of transport could be used instead.
A total of six bridges will also be built as part of the project.
Details of the proposal can be viewed and submissions lodged at https://proposals.gnb.nsw.gov.au/currentproposals until or posted to the Geographical Names Board Secretary at 346 Panorama Ave, Bathurst, NSW 2795, before January 18.
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