The name of Wyndham’s Williams Landing ward is a source of confusion, according to its sitting councillor Larry Zhao.
Cr Zhao, who raised a notice of motion to rename the ward’s name when council met on February 25, said the name does not accurately reflect the make up of the ward because a majority of residents live outside of the suburb of the same name.
“Only around 20 per cent of the residents are actually from the suburb – 80 per cent of the residents live in Point Cook, Truganina and Hoppers Crossing,” he said.
“Residents have raised [to me] that the name of the ward is confusing.”
The motion asked the council to write to Local Government Minister Nick Staikos requesting that he review the Williams Landing ward name with a view to changing it to a name that is more representative of all of the residents in the ward.
Supporting the motion, Cr Jennie Barrera said it was not an issue exclusive to Williams Landing, as her ward Heathdale covers the bulk of Werribee but is named after an estate.
“There are also issues with some of the other wards,” Cr Barrera said.
“I’m going to support it, you’re not the only ward, but I will support it.”
Saying that the issue was not “that big of a deal,” Cr Jasmine Hill said that her ward Featherbrook could cause similar confusion.
“Featherbrook is only an estate but covers almost the entirety of Point Cook,” Cr Hill said.
“It can be confusing for some of the wards.”
Cr Shannon McGuire said that the use of generic names could be a better alternative than naming wards after estates or suburbs.
“It’s a little thing but it matters because it creates disengagement,” he said.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Jaidyn Kennedy
