Name change slammed

By Casey Neill
FERNTREE Gully residents have expressed concern over a proposal to rename a portion of their suburb.
Michael Martin resides in the section of Ferntree Gully formally known as Lower Ferntree Gully.
The area now falls within the region set to be renamed the Ferntree Gully Foothills if the proposal receives public support.
“I’m appalled at Knox Council wanting to change it,” he said.
Mr Martin was born in Ferntree Gully and three generations of his family grew up there.
He has dubbed the proposal a waste of money.
According to Mr Martin, residents within the affected area would be forced to change their licences and notify various organisations of their change of address, and businesses would have to change stationery and signage.
“The amount it will cost is totally unjustified,” he said.
“Why should we be incurring any more cost for something that will give us no benefit?”
He said the change would cause confusion and was unnecessary.
Mr Martin also rejected claims from Dobson Ward councillor Karin Orpen that a name change identifying the section of Ferntree Gully covered by the foothills policy as a separate region would give it added protection from development.
“There’s already legal protection in place,” he said.
Cr Orpen said she was ‘really pleased’ with the community debate on the proposal.
“We’re reacting to a petition that’s been received,” she said.
“The push is to identify the area as unique.”
Cr Orpen said she was concerned at misinformation being circulated about the consultation process.
She said residents would receive a survey and reply paid envelope in addition to a Dobson Ward newsletter with information about the proposed change.
“Let the community have their say,” she said.
Mr Martin had also expressed concern about the length of the name.
“It’s only four more letters than Upper Ferntree Gully,” Cr Open said.
She said the council would consult various authorities as part of its report on the proposal.
From this, she said, the council would determine exactly what actions would be required should the name change occur, including changes to licences or street signage.
Cr Orpen announced a plan to formally rename the area of Ferntree Gully covered by the Foothills Policy at Knox Council’s 24 June meeting.
She presented a 127-signature Friends of Ferntree Gully Village petition asking the council to consider renaming the area bordered by Dorset Road, Napoleon Road and the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Plans for community consultation on the proposed Ferntree Gully name change were given the go ahead at Knox Council’s July meeting.
Letters will be sent to the 3000 properties within the affected area.