Published on Tuesday, 23 January 2024 at 4:03:20 PM
Community and Media Update
Naming of the Blackwood River
Shire of Boyup Brook
The Shire of Boyup Brook welcomes the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes initiating community discussion, through their Cultural Inclusion Committee, on a proposal to recognise local Aboriginal language in the naming convention for the Blackwood River, by dual naming with the Aboriginal name Goorbilyup.
The Shire of Boyup Brook is committed to continuing to foster a community that honours our diverse heritage and respects the views of all our community members.
The Shire considered that it was appropriate to understand and establish a position that reflected the consensus viewpoint of the Boyup Brook community. To achieve this, the Shire initiated community engagement and consultation for a period of 30 days, utilising the Shire website and social media platforms during September/October 2023. This generated community feedback and submissions on the proposal.
The Shire Council considered the community feedback at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 26th October 2023. This was a public meeting and Council concluded that the proposal was a matter that did not have majority local community support at this time, with Council’s decision to not support dual naming, reflecting this community feedback.
The proposal has stimulated valuable community discussion on the recognition of Aboriginal heritage within the Shire, and it is anticipated that this discussion will be ongoing at a grassroots level within the community.
The Shire notified the Shire of Bridgetown – Greenbushes of the Council decision on 6th November 2023. The Shire of Boyup Brook is the first Local Government to reach a position re dual naming of the Blackwood River, based on public consultation.
The community of Western Australia can be assured that the Shire of Boyup Brook will continue to explore, with the local community, ways to celebrate and acknowledge our regions Aboriginal heritage and culture in a manner that unites our community.
Richard Walker
President
Shire of Boyup Brook
19th January 2024
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