An area popularly known as the village green, bordered by Rupertswood Rd, Berrydale Rd, and Rolling Meadows Dr, has been given the official name Noogal Park.
The decision was made at Monday’s meeting of Hume City Council (22 July 2024) and follows public consultation.
In all, council received 49 suggestions for a new name, including Rolling Meadows Reserve, which was ruled as non-compliant as it is an estate name. Council was also keen to avoid any confusion with the Sunbury Village Green.
Council consulted with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation on suggested names that use traditional owner language. It recommended Noogal Park to council. Noogal means ‘belong’ in the Woi Wurrung language.
A fee of $3,500 will be paid to the corporation for the ongoing use of the word ‘Noogal’.
The decision to re-name the area was opposed by Cllr Trevor Dance as he objected to paying to use the word Noogal. Cllr Jack Medcraft said the fee was a separate issue that could be looked at in the future. During the public consultation period council received 27 objections to paying a fee.
In total, 163 public submission were made. Of these, 85 opposed the name change, 78 supported it.
Sunbury Life previously reported on the name change here.