Nillumbik Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to name a reserve in the Civic Drive Precinct in Greensborough 'Kirrip Park'. 'Kirrip' is the Woi-wurrung word for friend.
At present the park area does not have a registered name with the Registrar of Geographic Names – Vicnames.
The name had been suggested by local community group 'The Friends of Apollo Parkways' to the reflect the park's purpose as a meeting place where 'friends' can enjoy the playground, open space, basketball and an outdoor performance centre.
The name also aligns with the public artwork 'Family and Future (Past, Present and Future…Emerging)' by indigenous artist Fiona Clarke, which adorns a wall of the adjacent Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre.
Other names had been submitted through previous consultation processes, but did not receive support from Geographic Names Victoria as they had already been used for other places.
As part of the proposed naming of Civic Drive Precinct (Park) to 'Kirrip Park', it is proposed that the following areas of the Park are also named in connection with the word 'Kirrip', these include:
- Building to 'Kirrip Pavilion'
- Outdoor Performance Area to 'Kirrip Outdoor Performance Space'
- Playground to 'Kirrip Playspace'
- Exercise / Flat Open Space Area to 'Kirrip Recreation Space'.
All name submissions must comply with naming rules for places in Victoria – Statutory requirements for naming roads, features and localities – 2022.
Blue Lake Ward Councillor Richard Stockman said Council was successful in seeking approval from the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation for the names to be submitted to Geographic Names Victoria for approval.
"As part of this process, Council is required to seek community feedback to demonstrate community support for the naming proposals," Cr Stockman said.
Cr Stockman said the proposed name 'Kirrip' complied with the naming principles within the Naming Rules for places in Victoria in particular 'Recognition and use of Traditional Owner languages'.
Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the proposed name.
Submissions can be made via an online survey at Participate Nillumbik
