Street to change name, no offence

A POINT LONSDALE street is set to get a name-change amid fears of it sounding offensive if mispronounced.

The City of Greater Geelong announced in an officer’s report this week that Chiton Way should be changed to Casablanca Way in a bid to wipe out “confusion in pronunciation”. The recommendation comes after the name-change proposal underwent a council review, which included sifting through a collection of resident submissions.

A council letter by revenue, property and valuations coordinator Caroline Ruiter stated a developer had requested the change in name due to inappropriate mispronunciation of the street.

“The name Chiton Way is causing confusion in pronunciation and can cause offence when pronounced incorrectly,” the letter read. “The developer has requested this road name be altered based on this and has chosen a name which is keeping within the current theme.”

The renaming would see 11 properties get a new address under the move, which is set to cost the City about $480 in advertising, notification to adjoining property owners and authorities, and street signage.

According to the council report, seven surveys were returned, with four in favour of the proposal and three against.

Feedback from residents who opposed the proposal claimed there was “nothing wrong with the name”, slamming the move as “unnecessary, inappropriate and costly”.

Other reasoning in favour of the change included minimising risk in emergencies, when it came to accessing the street in a timely manner.

The City is set to approve the renaming at the council meeting tonight.