By Alesha Capone
A Wyndham councillor has questioned a decision to endorse two names proposed for new community centres in Tarneit and Truganina, due to a court case about a native title claim.
The council has released a report recommending that the name “Koomail Tardy” be adopted – following public consultation – for a community centre being constructed at Alcock Road, Truganina.
The name “Bembit Bag-rook” has also been suggested for a new community centre being constructed in Polly Parade, Tarneit.
Wyndham council officers consulted with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, the registered Aboriginal party for the land on which the community centres are being built, to help identify suitable names.
The words koomail, tardy, bembit and bag-rook translate to “grass used for weaving”, “sister”, “flower” and “women”, respectively.
Wyndham council last month voted to submit “Koomail Tardy” and “Bembit Bag-rook” to Geographic Names Victoria to continue with the formal process to name the community centres, which will include a 42-day public consultation period.
However, Wyndham councillor Josh Gilligan said he did not support the proposed names because both of the community centre sites are subject to a native title claim lodged with the Federal Court.
Covering more than 13,000 square kilometres, the claim applies to parts of more than 20 municipalities including Wyndham and Melton.
The Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council took their claim, relating to the land, to the Federal Court after the Native Title Registrar refused to register it.
Cr Gilligan said that rather than naming the community centres now, the council should wait to see what happens with the court case.
“There is currently legal challenge in the courts around who has ultimate ownership and coverage of the sites that we are now talking about endorsing names for,” Cr Gilligan said.
“On the basis of court action being taken, where there is a dispute over the ultimate ownership of land, it would make sense in my opinion to hold off naming sites after a certain party, when that party is currently subject to a dispute.”
Anyone who wants to be a party to the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council proceedings must apply to the Federal Court by January 19, 2022.
