Protest group Save Berwick Springs Lake Name has critiqued Casey Council after it removed signs and placards in the estate which objected to the now gazetted name, Guru Nanak Lake.
On Friday 6 March and Wednesday 11 March, residents of the estate say they witnessed the council removing placards affixed to certain fixtures surrounding the lake.
These include signs referencing the “Saving of Berwick Springs Lake Name” and “1855” which pertains to the 1855 settlement and developments of “The Springs”, associated with settler William Turner Clarke.
The trademarked white posters with blocked black writing regarding the protest have been plastered all around Melbourne’s south-east, including around Cardinia Shire, Greater Dandenong as well as extending to suburbs like Oakleigh.
Michael Ball, key figure and spokesperson for the ‘Save Berwick Springs Lake’ group said that council removing the signs was an attempt to “silence the community”.
Following a Star News enquiry, Casey’s manager of Connected Communities, Courtney Harrison, said that the removal of the placards were due to lack of permits and followed concerns from residents in the community.
“Berwick Springs is a beautiful and much‑loved part of our community, a place where residents and visitors come to walk, relax and enjoy the parks and open spaces,” Ms Harrison said.
“Permit requirements help us manage public spaces responsibly, maintain local amenity and neighbourhood character, and ensure all signage is appropriate, safe and compliant.”
Ms Harrison says that previously, the council has removed signs that did not have required permits following “complaints from community members”.
In response, Mr Ball questioned the council’s requirements for a permit, telling Star News that the community’s objections are part of a protest and therefore would not be exploring the council’s channels for a permit.
Instead, he implored the council to call for changes and diplomacy between the State Government and Sikh Leaders.
“Casey council has twice in the last few days removed all the “Save Berwick Springs Lake Name” signage at the lake,” said Mr Ball.
“If the council thinks removing a few signs is going to stop our community, they have no idea how determined our community is, that makes us more resolute and determined,” he said.
“This will only motivate more residents to express their anger.”
“Council can no longer now claim to be just ‘bystanders’ in this name change, if they are going to try to shut down the voice of the community then they need to step up.”
The parliamentary debate in October 2025, settled on the new gazetted name and location with bipartisan support.
But the objections from some members of the community have garnered protracted attention since 2023, when several of the protesters argued that they were not consulted on the name before the decision was landed on.
As mentioned, similar signages and placards have been spotted in neighbouring suburbs such as Dandenong, Officer and Pakenham.
In an enquiry made to neighbouring councils, Greater Dandenong Council’s Executive Director City Futures, Sanjay Manivasagasivam said they had not received any complaints about signages relating to Berwick Springs Lake nor have they removed any signs.
Like the Casey Council, the Dandenong Council would pursue removal if a sign was placed on Council land without a permit.
Similarly, Cardinia Shire’s Wayne Mack, referred Star News to its Local Law 2024 Act, which states that a person “must not” post any placard, bill posters, stick or other documents on a road reserve, footpath or nature strip without a permit and that doing so would be regarded as a legal breach and ultimately be removed.
