Judy Maddigan said she felt Moonee Valley Council had not given enough thought to its proposal to change the name of suburbs in the area.
Essendon is a very old township. Essendon was first mentioned in plans from 1854. It is reputed to be named after the village of Essendon near London. The Borough of Essendon and Flemington was set up in 1862, and the first town hall was in Warrick Street, Ascot Vale. It is a very distinct area.
The cost to residents of such a name change on all rate payers in Moonee Valley, including the ratepayers of Ascot Vale, Moonee Ponds, Essendon and Strathmore would be significant, and yet there appears to be no benefit to my residents.
The cost of the process would be high, including the process itself, and if a name change were introduced a substantial cost for the changes to street signs, to local businesses for their signs and advertising, and so on.
Australia Post may well have a view on this change as well.
My residents are telling me very clearly that they do not support such a move.
There is nothing wrong with Airport West or Keilor East, perhaps Council could more profitably spend its budget on beautification of the area if some of its residents are not happy with their suburb. Many residents are very proud of living in these suburbs, as they should be. These suburbs have their own character, just as important as the character of Essendon to Essendon residents.
We already have not only the State Seat of Essendon, North Essendon and West Essendon, as well as Essendon. To increase the number of Essendon's would add to a significant amount of confusion about the area already.
Perhaps Cr. Sipek could turn his mind to matters of more substance to benefit the residents of Keilor East and Airport West