A DECISION on renaming Tip Rd, Seaspray, has been delayed until agreement is reached among locals.
Wellington Shire Council was due to approve renaming Tip Rd to McKenzie Rd, but instead opted to work further with the community.
Council sought feedback over the name of the road, with members of the community in favour of change split between calling the road “McKenzie” or “McGuinness”.
The name change was suggested last year by a local resident concerned the road was named for the transfer station.
Council’s place names committee determined Tip Rd was named because it was known locally as the tip of the fertile flats of Merrimans Creek, and resolved to maintain the current name unless there was unanimous local support for change.
Five respondents were in favour of a change to McKenzie Rd.
McKenzie name recognises William “Gaslight” McKenzie, who was one of the first soldier settlers on what was then the Prospect Estate. Three of his brothers were also granted allotments. The brothers served in Gallipoli and Egypt in World War 1, while William also served in the Volunteer Defence Corps during World War 2.
The McKenzie property’s boarders were along Tip and Seaspray Rds.
Three respondents were against the proposal, with one suggesting the change would create confusion, particularly for emergency services.
Another reason was Tip Rd was an historical road for Seaspray, while it was claimed the McKenzie family never lived along the road. Another respondent suggested McGuinness Rd was the original name of the road. The McGuinness family has lived and farmed in the area going back four generations.
Councillor Patrick McIvor said locals generally agreed they didn’t like the name Tip Rd.
“What we’ve established among different people and the submissions we’ve received is the name Tip should change, now we need to spend some time discussing with people affected to come up with a consensus view,” he said.
Cr McIvor said council needed to ensure it ascertained a good level of support for a name before making a decision.
“There’s no need to rush ahead or push any decisions through that could wait until the next meeting or the one after that.”
Council approved place names committee recommendations to recognise two names.
Council will add the name “Findley” to its register of approved road names.
Harold Findley was born in Sale in 1881, but was orphaned early, living with the Bennett family.
At the outbreak of World War 1, Mr Findley enlisted while working as a miner in Canada with his cousin John Bennett.
Mr Findley was award a Distinguished Conduct Medal for going into ‘No Man’s Land’ to recover the bodies of Colonel Lewis, inventor of the Lewis gun, and Captain Gale, whose plane had been brought down.
Mr Findlay, who died in France in 1916, is on the Stratford Primary School honour roll.
Council also approved a request from a developer to name a subdivisional road in Sale as Peck Place.
Dr Floyd Peck was a general practitioner in Sale during the first half of the 19th century.
Dr Peck was honoured with a memorial stained glass window, which was removed from the old St Paul’s Church to the chancel of the new cathedral in 1884.
