Esther Lauaki
Brimbank residents are invited to offer their thoughts on the naming of the St Albans Leisure Centre redevelopment.
The $55.1 million project, which began earlier this year, will replace the tired St Albans Leisure Centre with a state-of-the-art health and wellbeing hub boasting a 50-metre 10-lane swimming pool, two water slides, wellness centre, community program room and more.
Council shortlisted four names selected by a naming advisory committee from 314 community submissions put forward via social media, the council website and direct correspondence.
They included the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre, Marin Balluk Centre as a tribute to the traditional owners of the area, Wominjeka– meaning welcome– and Brimbank Durra Centre which loosely translates to the Heart of Brimbank.
At this month’s meeting councillors approved Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre as the preferred name to be put out for public feedback despite the naming advisory committee’s first preference being the Marin Balluk Centre.
Taylors ward councillor Margaret Giudice, who recommended Brimbank Aquatic and WellnessCentre, anticipated kickback from the community.
“We’ve come to a point where we have to name this facility,” Cr Giudice said.
“If there are any serious objections [from the community] I’m sure it will be brought back to council and another process will be enacted.
“Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is the name that I consider should be the one that goes out to the community.
“There are many rooms within the wellness centre and the aquatic centre that can be referred back to the heritage of this area … so perhaps naming the cafe an Aboriginal name could be a way that we could encompass all of that.”
Cr John Hedditch spoke out against the proposed name and said he was outraged by Cr Giudice’s recommendation to use Indigenous names about rooms and cafes within the centre.
“I think it’s outrageous … we have a councillor putting forward a third choice of the advisory committee with no real justification other than a personal choice,” Cr Hedditch said.
“It’s insulting to the Indigenous community to start talking about naming cafes using such fabulous names.”
Advocacy, partnerships and community director Dan Hogan said indigenous and traditional owner community groups were consulted in August to ensure that the names were appropriate, correct and suitable.
Mr Hogan said that, despite the leisure centre being in Keilor Downs and catering to Melton residents, that it was appropriate for it to be referred to as a Brimbank facility given its regional nature and “to be enjoyed by the entire municipality”.
Community consultation on the proposed name will take place after the October council election.
Esther Lauaki
