WHAT WE ARE DOING
What we are doing
300+ Signature Petition Opposing Catherine Point
On hearing of the revised submission to Landgate, a petition was compiled containing more than 300 signatures of residents from South Beach and Shoreline Estates, with all opposing the name change to Catherine Point. This petition was compiled in less than two weeks.
During these two weeks the group fixed small posters around the neighbourhood with a QR code, providing a link to the petition, giving people the opportunity to vote against the name change if they wished to do so. Disappointingly these posters were torn down time and time again in an effort to stop as many people from voting against the name change.
CPCG has been made aware of the petition opposing the name change to Catherine Point. Instead of pausing the Landgate process while proper community consultation is undertaken, Catherine Point Community Group has decided to push ahead for the name change.
Proper Community Consultation not Undertaken
The CPCG has since asserted that proper community consultation will take place AFTER Landgate has made its recommendations. This defies logic, and no reasonable person would believe such nonsense.
Proper community consultation should have been undertaken before submitting the Catherine Point name change to the City of Cockburn and that consultation process should have been undertaken by the City of Cockburn. If this had happened, it is highly unlikely that the Catherine Point name would have been proposed to Landgate.
This did not happen, and residents of South Beach and Shoreline Estate have a right to feel aggrieved that they were not consulted about such a significant change to their suburb. Residents of both Shoreline and South Beach estates may also not be aware that if Landgate deems a split in the North Coogee to be valid and warranted that the name North Coogee is forever gone.
Formation of South Beach Community Inc.
In response to the proposed name change, a group of concerned local residents met to discuss what action could be taken to halt the name change process until proper community consultation could be undertaken. This group was responsible for producing the petition with 300+ signatures opposing the name change.
This group contacted the CPCG asking them to seek a pause to the name change process to be paused until the City of Cockburn had undertaken proper community consultation. This request was ignored.
In response, South Beach Community Inc [SBCI] was established to represent the interests of residents that believe in open and transparent communication and proper community consultation.
The first task is to seek a pause to the suburb name change process by both Landgate and the City of Cockburn to allow proper community consultation.
Leaflet supporting the name change to Catherine Point [May 2024]
Local residents received a leaflet in their mailbox in late April / early May 2024 supporting the name change to Catherine Point and encouraging residents to contact the CPCG to show their support. The leaflet argues the case for the name change but gives no indication of who authored or distributed the leaflet.
It has since been established that the author of the anonymous leaflet was a committee member of the CPCG. The CPCG now asserts that he stepped down as a committee member in mid-April 2024.
Way Forward
Many in the community have been surprised that Landgate is considering changing their suburb name to Catherine Point. Many residents are still unaware of the proposed change and that Landgate are due to make a recommendation in June 2024.
SBCI has since made representations and extensive submissions to both Landgate and the City of Cockburn expressing the concerns by many in the community that the suburb name change has not followed due process and requested a paused in the process until the facts have been established.
SBCI has launched its own website to allow residents to find the latest information on the proposed suburb name change and to allow them to contact the SBCI committee.
Residents of North Coogee have a right to be involved in important decisions regarding their community, their property values and their local amenity. There is no bigger decision than the naming of our suburb. SBCI has taken up the challenge to re-establish these rights by listening to those in the community and giving them the opportunity to be heard.
If you would like to find out more information on the suburb name change process, please contact the South Beach Community Inc. We encourage all residents to reach out and get involved.
