Do you approve of Little Charli?
A proposal to rename a Neerim South site as Little Charli’s Picnic Area and Lookout has been put out to the local community for feedback.
The site, located on Main Neerim Rd with views overlooking the Tarago Reservoir, is currently known as Apex Picnic Area and Lookout.
Baw Baw Shire councillors urged residents to have a say on the proposed name - or share other suggestions - at the latest council meeting.
An officer report said the picnic area and lookout, about 4km from Neerim South was first discussed at the Baw Baw place names advisory committee in 2017, due to confusion over its official name.
Council records showed the name Apex, yet a sign “Little Charli’s Lookout” appeared at the site sometime after 2010.
Despite a community call out for information on the sign, with “Happy Christmas LC 2012, love Phil” on the back, little is known.
“Officers rebadged the sign to Apex Picnic Area and Lookout in March 2018 and removed the illegally constructed wooden signage
to avoid any confusion on the feature name,” the report said.
However, Google maps refers to the site as “Main Neerim Road Lookout” whilst several tourist websites continue to use the name “Little Charli’s Lookout”.
As a result, the place names committee has signalled support for renaming the site, noting the name Apex was not unique, its origin was largely unknown apart from connection to the now defunct Apex Club in Neerim South, and it was not registered with Geographic Names Victoria.
The cost to rename the picnic area and lookout would cost about $500 in signage, the report said.
Cr Keith Cook said the park was an awesome place to sit and appreciate the scenery of Baw Baw Shire.
“However, we’ve had significant feedback about the generic name of this place and the lack of its identity as a tourist destination,” Cr Cook said.
He said a Google search showed Apex Park at more than 25 locations across Victoria including Trafalgar, Moe, Traralgon, Sale and Wonthaggi - but not at Neerim South.
“The picnic area is looking a little bit rundown at the moment,” Cr Cook said. “I believe that a new name, together with the construction of the new rail trail, can be of great assistance to the Neerim area.”
He said other options discussed included Neerim Picnic Area and Lookout as well as Hell’s Gate, Tarago or Railway Crossing.
Cr Jazmin Tauru called on the community to get involved.
“We need your ideas,” Cr Tauru said. Cr Darren Wallace said the name Little Charli’s Lookout had evolved over time.
“Who is Little Charli?” Cr Wallace asked. “Nobody seems to know but this name has stuck, and sometimes it’s the best way.”
“It’s not a manufactured outcome like a quota,” he added.
Cr Wallace said council was unsure of the origin of the gender-neutral name but he liked to think it was the final resting place of a farmer’s dog.
“Little Charli can be whoever and whatever you want,” he added.
Visit bawbawconnect.com.au/apexlookout to share your feedback before Monday, May 6.