In recognition of the direction from the State Government in 2019, and the contribution that wetlands make to cultural heritage, spiritual values and day-to-day living of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the City of Gosnells has commenced a program to name all conservation category wetlands using Noongar names.
The City will be naming two wetlands in Canning Vale as the first stage of this process.
Maladjiny-ap Balyan Boodjar
Maladjiny-ap Balyan Boodjar (or Place of Growing Wetland) is the name that has been chosen by local Aboriginal Elders and the Langford Aboriginal Association for the Comrie Road wetland.
Nakaal Maya Balyan Boodjar
Nakaal Maya Balyan Boodjar (or Peaceful Place Wetland) is the name that has been chosen by local Aboriginal Elders and the Langford Aboriginal Association for the Shreeve Road and Waterperry Drive wetlands.
Naming parks and wetlands
Currently, less than 15% of the parks within the City have an official name registered with Landgate. Registering place names with Landgate is important to ensure a singular name for a place is recognised - allowing residents, emergency services, map providers and travellers to find our parks.
Recognising that the City has hundreds of parks that are not yet officially named, the City has introduced a process to name public open spaces (parks, reserves or wetlands) when they appears within our capital works program. This means as work is completed at a park, the park name is registered with Landgate.
Why are the wetlands dry?
Many of the wetlands within the City of Gosnells are ephemeral. This means they temporarily hold water after substantial rain events and dry out periodically.
Due to their nature, ephemeral wetlands are highly dynamic ecosystems with rising and falling levels creating feeding and breeding opportunities for a variety of fauna.
After extended dry periods (as we are currently experiencing) it is expected that the wetlands will be dry.
The City does not top-up water bodies with ground or scheme water.
Give us your feedback
Use this space to tell the City what you think of the wetland naming program. Your feedback is welcome until 14 July 2024 and will be visible to all visitors to this page. (max 140 characters).
4 July, 2024
Don says:
Will the council respect the wishes of the community, or will the undemocratic renaming occur despite clear opposition?
30 June, 2024
Ratepayer says:
The city of Gosnells will push ahead renaming these wetlands against the wishes of ratepayers. Feedback is regularly ignored by councillors.
18 June, 2024
Water Perry says:
I do not support the proposed names at all, which are being forced through against the wishes of the majority of residents in the area.
12 June, 2024
TreesAreGreen says:
Please retain the English names for wetlands. The proposed names are not pleasant, difficult to pronounce and spell.
28 May, 2024
AlexKerry says:
If you really want to upset the residents of The Reserve, this is the way to do it.!!! Leave the name alone,
Already named, we love it.
28 May, 2024
Julie Hunt says:
I'm not happy about using residents' money to change the name of Waterperry Reserve to a name that may not be an original aboriginal name.
28 May, 2024
melajaca says:
NO. LEAVE IT AS UT IS.
WHAT A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS $$.
Just fill the lakes up and stop killing our wildlife.
27 May, 2024
Ray Neal says:
The proposed names are complex and totally confusing to residents and emergency service.Consultation with local residents is necessary
