Nirimba Fields: New suburb name pitched for Blacktown suburb after backlash
A new name will be considered for part of the existing suburbs of Schofields after two previous names were dropped due to community backlash.
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Residents have vowed to fight a new name put forward for their suburb after Blacktown Council was forced to drop two previous names due to community backlash.
This month the council submitted a new suburb name, Nirimba Fields, for the Akuna Vista estate within the existing suburb of Schofields as part of its ongoing boundary and suburb name changes.
The latest proposal to the Geographical Names Board comes after two earlier names, Lynch and Nirimba Marana, were knocked back due to residents’ concerns.
In February, the council disendorsed the name Nirimba Marana after receiving more than 200 complaints concerning the name’s suffix, which means ‘death’ in Indian culture.
However, the newly-proposed name has done little to appease residents, who say they have not been properly consulted.
“The submission released and advertised by the names board on April 1 seems like an attempt to sneak matters into the system during the pandemic health crisis,” estate landholder Matthew Coombes said.
“I would ask that Blacktown City Council ask the names board to withdraw the said proposal until such time that the current health crisis is over.
“This will give an opportunity for residents, ratepayers and future residents awaiting settlement to have a voice in decisions on this matter.”
Blacktown Council has stood by its consultation process.
“The council endorsed Nirimba Fields as the preferred suburb name at its meeting on 26 February,” the spokesman said.
“The Geographical Names Board placed the name Nirimba Fields on public exhibition on the GNB website from 1 April to 1 May 2020.
“Following the exhibition period, the GNB will forward any submissions it received to Council for comment.
“Council will then forward its response to the GNB for its final determination.”
The proposed name, ‘Nirimba Fields’, comes from the former Royal Australian Navy repair, maintenance and training facility, ‘Nirimba’, located within the proposed suburb area.
The name is derived from the Darug Language and means `Pelican’, which forms a large part of the naval crest.
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 Field s: Proposed new suburb comprising part of the existing suburb of Schofields. Originally proposed as Lynch and Nirimba Marana.
Grantham Farm: Proposed new suburb comprising part of the existing suburb of Riverstone. Originally proposed as Kwigan. The name has been endorsed by the council, with a final decision to be determined by the names board.
Tallawong: Proposed new suburb comprising part of the existing suburbs of Schofields and Rouse Hill. Originally proposed as Wran. The name has been endorsed by the council, with a final decision to be determined by the names board.