Meriton in suburb name change snub
DEVELOPER giant Meriton has failed in its bid to get the multimillion-dollar Pagewood Green included in the suburb of Pagewood.
Southern Courier
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DEVELOPER giant Meriton has failed in its bid to get the multimillion-dollar Pagewood Green included in the suburb of Pagewood.
The company applied to the Geographical Names Board (GNB) — with Bayside Council backing to have the Eastgardens development registered in Pagewood — where property prices are higher.
But the GNB rejected the proposal stating it would make Eastgardens too small to be a suburb.
“The proposal was considered at the March board meeting and was rejected as it did not satisfy the considerations for amending an existing suburb boundary,” a spokeswoman said.
“Eastgardens currently covers an area of 54ha and is already significantly smaller than the preferred minimum size for an urban suburb (100ha). Had the boundary amendment been approved Eastgardens would be reduced to approximately 35ha.
“The council has been informed of the decision and the reasons why it was not approved.”
Meriton argued the site had traditionally been in Pagewood and denied increased house prices were behind the move.
Houses in Pagewood sell for a higher price than those in Eastgardens.
A Meriton spokeswoman said they would consider their options, adding that they would like the site to retain its Pagewood name.
“The location which Meriton’s Pagewood Green has now been built on has always been within the suburb of Pagewood,” the spokeswoman said.
“General Motors Holden Factory was in Pagewood before its closure in 1980, and in 1985 British American Tobacco started operation also under the suburb of Pagewood.
“We are unsure as to why the site was changed to Eastgardens, however over the last few years this site has been formally identified as Pagewood in all council and utility notices. “Meriton will meet with the Geographical Names Board for further discussions and hope to resolve the matter as soon as possible.”