Residents hit out at Waverley Council plans to rename street, parks over spelling errors

Residents in a well-heeled Sydney suburb say they could be left thousands of dollars out of pocket over a council plan to change their street name due to an Indigenous spelling error that labelled the street ‘Cadigal Place’ instead of ‘Gadigal’.

Residents in one of Sydney’s most well-heeled suburbs fear they could be left thousands of dollars out of pocket over a council plan to change their street name due to an Indigenous spelling error.

Waverley Council is facing resistance from residents in Dover Heights over a proposal to rename ‘Cadigal Place’ to ‘Gadigal Place’ in a move to recognise the correct spelling of the traditional Aboriginal inhabitants of the clifftop suburb.

Residents received letters from the council on May 9 informing them of the proposal, which would involve the council removing and funding replacement street signs on the small cul-de-sac.

The name change – which would require approval from the NSW Geographical Names Board – has been supported by local Indigenous group – Gujaga Foundation – as well as the council’s reconciliation action plan advisory committee.

But the move has sparked backlash from residents impacted by the name change who have written to the council raising concerns over the cost and hassle of having to change credit card, banking, mail and other information.

The street name is proposed to be changed due to a spelling rethink.

Resident Costa Phitidis has called on the council to reverse the decision.

“It’s nonsensical and I can’t understand how a small street less than 200m long has to be changed – if that’s the case why not change the name of Sydney back to its traditional name Warrane. Why are they trying to pick a little street in the middle of nowhere?” he said.

The street overlooks Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“It’s more than just the cost of having to change all our details, it’s also the time.

“There is an over-55s complex on the street and there are some old ducks who live there who are over 80 years of age and they don’t understand how to change all their documents and title deeds.

“It’s a huge waste of time and both baffling and unnecessary.”

Local councillor Sally Betts has also rallied against the changes due to lack of consultation with those impacted.

“When we called the street Cadigal Place we thought we were doing the right thing but now there’s been a change in view, the impost on residents is huge,” she said.

Councillor Sally Betts.

“It’s going to cost them thousands of dollars to change every legal document they’ve got and this council obviously in my view doesn’t care about that.”

The council said the name change would reflect the contemporary spelling and understanding of local Aboriginal culture.

The council is also looking to change the name of local parks including Eora Reserve in Bondi Junction to Dharawal Reserve – the language spoken by the traditional owners of Sydney – due to the historic inaccuracies of the term ‘Eora’ as the nation encompassing all of coastal Sydney.

Biddigal Reserve at Bondi is also set to receive a new name.

Biddigal Reserve at Bondi Beach is also proposed to be renamed Birrabirragal Reserve in recognition of the traditional custodians of the local area.

Councillor Michelle Gray – who has supported the name changes – recognised there would be “inconvenience for residents” but added it was “not insurmountable”.

“If a local street was named after a politician or a surfing personality and we made the error of misspelling it we’d probably correct it – it’s the respectful thing to do,” she said.

“There are certainly not many Indigenous people living in Dover Heights anymore but they lived there for a very long time (and) I think it’s quite disrespectful to leave the incorrect name.”

It is understood residents had proposed for the council to consider dual naming of Cadigal Place, however council staff said it was “unlikely” be supported by the Geographic Names Board.

If the name is changed, residents who continue using the name Cadigal Place on their addresses could have issues over time with Australia Post delivering mail, according to information provided by council staff.

Councillor Tim Murray has backed the proposed name change – saying it was an important part of recognising the Indigenous history of the local area.

“If you ask any local people who are from this area, they will have a tear in their eye when you ask them about their own language that they can no longer speak,” he said.

“They are taking back control about the language that they lost.”

It is understood the council is investigating whether further support can be provided to impacted residents including any resource to assist with changing their personal information.