Drive to keep road name
ANGRY Drysdale residents have slammed a “ludicrous” council proposal to change the name of one of their historic roads — a move that also threatens a costly change for one of the region’s thriving olive groves.
In August, 104 property owners on either side of Whitcombes Rd received a letter about the proposal to change the name of the eastern side of the road to Quigley Grove in honour of Drysdale-born Anzac soldier John Francis Quigley.
The City of Greater Geelong is renaming 10 roadways affected by the construction of the Drysdale Bypass in a bid to avoid driver confusion.
But residents argue the name change affects where the historic Whitcombe house, once home to suffragette Mary Whitcombe, is located.
Local campaigner Cam Emerson, who saw himself as a “caretaker” of the land for the past 40 years, said the proposed change dishonoured the family’s contribution since the 1860s.
“Council, without understanding that history, are proposing to change it ad lib,” Mr Emerson said. “There’s a serious connection there that doesn’t exist on the western side of the road. Why don’t they change the other end of Whitcombes Rd?”
The road also houses Manzanillo Grove and owners Renate and Len Kint admitted they’d had “a lot of sleepless nights” over the expected $15,000-plus expense the road’s name change would create, including altering labels and advertising material.
“It’s distressing. I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about why they’re doing this. It’s absolutely ludicrous,” Mrs Kint said.
“I’ve got together with the residents and we’re all very interested in keeping that name where it belongs.”
Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur met residents this week to lend her support and slammed council’s “total disregard” for the history of the area.
“The family were pillars of the local community, and at least three served bravely overseas in the world wars. It’s right that CoGG should listen to the family and to the locals, and halt this perverse decision to disregard their community’s history,” she said.
CoGG refused to say whether the Whitcombe descendants had been consulted on the plan, reveal what costs council would incur from the change, or address concerns it was a waste of ratepayers’ money.
City of Greater Geelong director of Customer and Corporate Services, Michael Dugina, said council would consider all feedback before any final decision is made.
“Feedback and submissions are now being taken by the City regarding the proposed name change to Whitcombes Rd, and other roads to be truncated by the new Drysdale Bypass,” he said.
“The currently proposed name changes were selected because they were seen to affect the least number of residents.”
Feedback on the road changes ends on October 7.