Golden Plains Shire Council is seeking community feedback on a proposed Wadawurrung Traditional Owner name for an unnamed reserve in Batesford.
Council has worked with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) to identify a suitable name for the reserve informally known as the Moorabool River Reserve. The proposed name is Perridak Ngubiyt (Peh-ree-duck Nooh bit) which means freshwater home of the platypus in Wadawurrung language.
This naming proposal has been initiated based on priority actions identified in a number of Council’s strategic documents including the Council Plan 2025-2029, Reflect - Reconciliation Action Plan, Environment Strategy 2019-2027, Community Vision 2040 and in response to community feedback as part of the Moorabool River Reserve Master Plan.
Council is following the guidelines set by Geographic Names Victoria for establishing Traditional Owner names. This body is responsible for overseeing the naming and registration of roads, features and localities in Victoria.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said using traditional owner language to name reserves within the Shire promoted reconciliation, education and connection.
The return of Traditional Owner language to Country is recognised as an important act of reconciliation, strengthening, connecting and educating our communities. Language is important in transmitting knowledge, ideas, stories and shared meanings within and across cultures and generations, Cr Sharkey said.
Council has worked with WTOAC’s language team to identify a name that will appropriately reflect cultural heritage and shows deep respect.
Feedback on the proposed name is invited from Tuesday 31 March until 5pm, Tuesday 28 April 2026 and can be completed online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations. Hard copies of the feedback form will also be available at Council’s Customer Hubs, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn, and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
Council will consider all feedback before progressing this renaming project. For further information, contact Council’s Environment and Open Spaces Team at [email protected] or call 5220 7111.