Schofields: ‘Death suburb’ proposal Nirimba Marana dropped
A controversial suburb name put forward for a suburb in Blacktown’s north west will likely live up to its name after public outcry.
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A macabre new suburb name proposed for a suburb in Blacktown will likely be dropped after community outcry.
Last week a Blacktown Council committee decided it would no longer endorse the proposed name ‘Nirimba Marana’ for part of Schofields after residents hit back at the “offensive” name.
Under the proposal, the existing Akuna Vista estate was earmarked for the new name as part of the council’s ongoing suburb name and boundary changes.
More than 200 objections were raised concerning the suburb name’s suffix ‘Marana’ which means ‘death’ in Indian culture, leading to the council to recommend an alternative name.
The decision comes in response to community concerns raised during public exhibition of the name by the Geographical Names Board, which will determine final suburb names.
In a report, the council acknowledged the “negative associations” with the proposed name in the Indian community.
“Based on the number of submissions received, there is justification against the name ‘Nirimba Marana’ because ‘Marana’ is an offensive word in many languages in India,” the report stated.
“Given the general support for the name ‘Nirimba’, ‘Nirimba Fields’ is instead put forward as an alternative name.”
Residents are celebrating the decision after lobbying the council and the names board to reconsider the proposed name over its feared effects on the suburb’s image and property values.
Future resident Matthew Coombes joined residents at a public meeting in the estate last month to voice their concerns about the name. He said the latest decision had been received positively.
“The community response has been amazing. People are really ecstatic and are so happy that community effort has succeeded,” he said.
“The more important thing the community wants is a proper community consultation process going forward, so everybody can have their say as to what they want, whether it be a new name or left as Schofields.”
Residents have suggested Nirimba, Nirimba Fields and Akuna Vista estate as potential alternatives.
Blacktown Council has stood by the community consultation process.
“The (names board) is required to undertake public consultation of new suburb names and boundaries,” the report read.
“This was undertaken from October to November 2019 … as such, the requirement to consult with the community has been met.”
The council will vote on the recommendations from the committee’s report at its February 26 meeting.
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 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.