The community consultation process has now closed for this project.

The City received:

Community members who made submissions will be advised via email when a report will go to Council for a decision on the proposed name ‘Lar Birpa Athletics Complex’.

If Council agrees to adopt the proposed name a naming proposal will be developed and submitted to Geographic Names Victoria. Community members who objected during the consultation process will be provided with the opportunity to appeal directly to Geographic Names Victoria.

If Council decides not to adopt the proposed name, then a revised naming proposal will need to go out for further public consultation.

The site needs to be officially named through Geographic Names Victoria to mitigate public safety concerns.

Some of the common themes that emerged during the consultation process are outlined below with reference to how they relate to the principles of the Naming Rules.

Principle K: Language under the Naming Rules recognises that Traditional Owner names will initially appear complex however over time they will become familiar and easy to use. This has been demonstrated with both Ulumbarra and Gurri Wanyarra, which are now widely accepted and used within the community. In addition, a soundbite has been provided of the proposed name which is available on the Let’s Talk page.

Principle A – Ensuring public safety in the Naming Rules identifies the importance of protecting our communities and not putting the public and operational safety for emergency response at risk; or cause confusion for transport, community and mail services.

A number of submissions identified that there had been issues with emergency services finding La Trobe University Bendigo Athletics Complex, and believed that it was because the location was not in the name. It has been identified through this Naming process that LaTrobe University Bendigo Athletics Complex is not currently registered with Geographic Names Victoria.

Registering sites is essential for managing emergencies and delivering goods and services within Victoria. The site being unregistered would have been the reason that Emergency services has had difficulty finding the site, and not because the location was not in the name.

By undertaking this Naming process, we will ensure that this site is registered with Geographic Names Victoria.

The proposed name is consistent with other facilities in Greater Bendigo such as Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre.

Principle K – Language of the Naming Rules it is preferable that names do not exceed three words and/or 25 characters. An exception to this is in the use of Traditional Owner languages. The City has consulted with Dja Dja Wurrung, and Geographic Names Victoria, to ensure the proposed name complies with Principle K – Language under the naming rules.

It is recognised that the name might appear confusing to begin with, but over time it will become familiar and easy to use.

A number of submissions identified that Lar Birpa (a place to run) did not adequately reflect all activities that athletics encompasses.

Principle K – Language of the naming rules identified that names need to be no more than 3 words and/or 25 characters with the exception of Traditional Owner Language. Given limitations to the length of the name, Lar Birpa (a place to run) is recognised as the best fit for purpose, as running is a shared feature for all the athletic activities.

Representation of the broader use of the facility can be represented in other ways throughout the centre eg. Images on promotional material, artwork within the centre.

The City consulted with Dja Dja Wurrung, the traditional owners, and they were supportive of the proposed name for the site.

Principle C – Linking the name to a place under the Naming rules, it recognises that names should have a link to place to ensure the preservation of our cultural heritage. By consulting and engaging with the Traditional Owners, and using Traditional Owner language in the name, we are recognising and promoting the cultural heritage of the land. The naming proposal does have cultural significance to the site/land, as we are recognising and promoting the language of the Traditional Owners of the land.