But opponents have lashed out at the suggestion, saying it was an insult because they never wanted the Victoria Rd attraction torn down to make way the massive development.The former Ermington Putt Putt site falls under the first stage of the sprawling 30-hectare Melrose Park Precinct development, which borders West Ryde, Meadowbank and Denistone West.Naming a park would pay homage to the attraction which Tom Wykoff brought from South Africa from 1969 and entertained patrons until 2017 so construction on the massive development could tee off.
The move prompted an outcry from the community after a long saga about its future. It was originally sold by Parramatta Council to Chinese developers Aqualand in 2014 before being resold to Payce last year.But despite Mr Wykoff’s immediate family approving the park name, the council’s proposal has sparked backlash during a public consultation period, which was funded by the MProjects developers.“Putt Putt? I’m aghast,’’ an online submission said.“You’ve completely read the room wrong on this one! As a community (and surrounds) we were devastated by the loss of our thriving community asset (yes, that’s what we considered putt to be).’’
Another of the 16 online comments opposing the park name said: “So you knocked down the historic and iconic putt place to build this development but now you want to honour its memory by naming part of the development Putt Putt Park? That’s really quite ironic and insulting. Like rubbing salt in a wound.’’A Parramatta Council report said the post about the street names did not attract the same level of negative attention as the park.“Many felt that as a result, the name Putt Putt Park could be seen as insensitive by the local community.’’There was some more love shown for the name. “It was a local landmark for many years and very popular with the local community. This name is certainly fitting for the new park as well as the streets to reflect local history.’’If a park is not named after his entertainment venue, Wykoff Lane could be named after the putt pioneer, while the others pay tribute to the area’s past.
Appleroth St: The name of the creator of Aeroplane Jelly, Adolphus Herbert Frederick Norman Appleroth. The Aeroplane Jelly factory was in the area.
Lemon tree and Rose bush St: The citrus fruit and flowers recognise the growers who occupied the land in the first half of the 20th century when there was an abundance of fruit, citrus, vegetable and plant cultivation from the Parramatta River to Victoria Rd.
Bundil Blvd: Sally Bundil was an Aboriginal person of Kissing Point, born circa 1810 to 1822.Appleroth and Bundil were welcomed during the consultation period while Olympic athlete and former Ermington resident Betty Cuthbert was suggested as a street name.Another person suggested plaques and signage explaining the history of each street name “as understanding the history behind each name makes a significant difference in understanding and respecting the street names”.But the council indicated Putt Putt Park would proceed.“While council received mixed feedback on the proposed name, none of the concerns raised indicated that the name was likely to cause offence to the extent that it would warrant a new name being proposed,’’ a council spokeswoman said.“The names that council has proposed for the Melrose Park Precinct are intended to reflect and pay tribute to the site’s rich and varied history – both indigenous and non-indigenous.’’The council will discuss the proposal on Monday night and, if endorsed, it will proceed to the NSW Geographical Names Board for formal gazettal and before signage is installed.
MORE NEWS
‘Please stop killing our famed outdoor dining strip’
Source link
