By Ethan Benedicto
The Casey Council, as well as the local Federal MP, have called for an official state review of Guru Nanak Lake and the naming process’s lack of consultation with the local community.
Michael Ball, president of the Berwick Springs Community group, recently met with Mayor Koomen to discuss the concerns surrounding the lack of community awareness and engagement.
Koomen said that the council had met with the residents and that their concerns had been heard.
“It was wrong not to consult the local community, and we call on the State Government to review this decision,” he said.
“If elected councillors had been in place at the time, we would have made sure there was proper consultation with the community before any decision about naming the lake.
“The community has a very strong connection and history to the name Berwick Springs, and this should be officially recognised.”
Southeastern Bruce MP Julian Hill has strongly supported residents, saying that “process does matter”.
“It is obvious that residents and the broader community have known the place as Berwick Springs Lake.
“It is not a new place, and it was simply wrong not to consult locals about any naming or renaming of the lake.
Hill acknowledged that it is ultimately a State issue, and while that may be the case, as a Federal representative, he has been engaging with local community leaders and “shared (his) views with anyone who has raised this”.
“The simple truth is that residents were not consulted as should have occurred.
“The ongoing division in the community is not healthy and is undermining our social cohesion.
“Having spoken to many people and leaders in the Sikh community, this division is very distressing and not something they have sought or want,” he said.
This development comes as Ball, who promised to hold his ground every Sunday at the lake’s front for five weeks, was amazed at the fruitful turnout and support from the community.
On Sunday, 30 March, Ball said that he was “absolutely blown away with the day’s turnout at 5pm, there is no other way to describe it than extraordinary”.
“In our first week, already 50 per cent of our target reached with nearly 1000 signatures.
“Not only our local community, but many travelled from other areas in Casey and Cardinia, all coming together to sign the petition.”
Koomen also added that “no one wants to see the division this has caused and the State Government needs to listen to the voices of residents”.
“I will be writing to the State Government about this and requesting a meeting to raise concerns of our residents,” he said.
Kowan Ward councillor Shane Taylor, on Sunday 23 March, brought up the notion that the decision of the lake’s name had been approved while councillors were still being inaugurated.
Hill further spoke on the contributions of the Sikh community in Australia, highlighting their charity works through “tireless emergency relief in natural disasters”.
“Recognising their growing contribution to modern Australia – along with their communities – should be done in a way that brings people together and builds a sense of community pride, not divides people.
“I continue to encourage the State Government to listen to our community, review this and find a way forward that engages local residents, and brings people together.”
By the same token, details acquired through a Freedom of Information request revealed that Casey was initially the party to consult the community with the name but had pulled out since they were not the official naming authority, which is Melbourne Water.
Hill said that it is clear that Berwick Springs has a strong sense of identity and community, adding that he remains in touch with residents and that he is “keen to explore how to properly recognise Berwick Springs”.
“For example, as a formal locality in Victoria, Eumemmerring is a district locality within the Doveton postcode.
“Why can’t Berwick Springs be similarly recognised as a locality with its own sense of place and landmarks?” he said.
Bringing it back to the most recent Sunday, Ball said that there were swathes of residents who were bringing back their petition sheets and “asking for more forms, some even asking for two, three or four pages”.
“One gentleman took it to his local men’s shed and another lady to her choir group, and so many were saying to me that they’re taking it to their workplace, it’s all quite remarkable.
“I’m more confident than ever that we will absolutely smash our target of 2000 signatures and send a very clear message to the government that they need to listen.
“That they need to act very quickly and decisively and they need to recognise their errors and lack of respect for the community and officially gazette the name Berwick Springs Lake,” he said.
