{"id":1192,"date":"2025-02-17T10:37:27","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T10:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/berwicksprings.com.au\/?page_id=1192"},"modified":"2025-10-25T03:54:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T03:54:36","slug":"no-respect","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/berwicksprings.com.au\/?page_id=1192","title":{"rendered":"Government Failure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Timeline of Events from November 2018<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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November 2018<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Daniel Andrews Commitment<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Daniel Andrews was at the Blackburn Gurudwara (Sikh temple) where he announced funding of $1 million for the refurbishment project being undertaken at the premises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stated that Victorians must celebrate Guru Nanak’s 550th birthday in a more “permanent” way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We’ll bring the Sikh community together and have a discussion on what kind of permanent landmark in the name of Guru Nanak should be created,” he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It could be a street name, it could be anything – now I don’t want to suggest what it should be, but if we win the elections, we will sit with all Sikh leaders in Victoria and decide what it should be. It is such a significant occasion, and we must do something to mark it as a permanent acknowledgement.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

August 2021<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Religions in Narre Warren South<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

2021 Census data shows that those identifying as members of the Sikh religion accounted for 1.9%<\/strong><\/mark> of the Narre Warren South population.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Landmark Identified for Renaming<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The Department for Multicultural Affairs identifies a landmark to be named in consultation with Sikh community leaders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We now know that the two locations offered to the Sikhs were both in The City of Casey – The Royal Botanical Gardens, Cranbourne and Berwick Springs.<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other parties involved in the process include the City of Casey, Melbourne Water, Bunurong Land Council, Victorian Multicultural Commission, and Emergency Service Telecommunications Commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At no point were residents of Berwick Springs consulted.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

July 2022<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Sikh Communities Invited to Participate in Consultation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

With guidance from the Victorian Multicultural Commission, DFFH invited 19 Sikh community organisations to participate in consultations on the proposed landmark.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

August 2022<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Further consultation with Sikh Community Groups<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

DFFH and City of Casey held an in-person consultation session with representatives from Victorian Sikh organisations who responded to DFFH\u2019s invitation, including Gurduaras Council, Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria, Siri Guru Nanak Darbar and Dream Harmony Seniors.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

September 2022<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation Consulted<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

DFFH consulted with Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC) who were broadly supportive of the project, indicating they will undertake further internal consultations about the project with Bunurong Elders and community members. This includes discussing the possibility of BLCAC supplying text for inclusion in the monument design which provides information and history of the site from a Bunurong perspective.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

October 2022<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Sikh Communities provide feedback to DFFH<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Sikh community representatives undertook further consultation with Sikh community members, and provided feedback to DFFH on the landmark site, preferred name and monument design. They indicated strong support for both the naming project and the proposed site, and for a particular name.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

October 2022<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Melbourne Water “Broadly Supportive”<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne Water\u2019s Integrated Planning and Waterways and Catchment Operations teams confirmed to DFFH* that the lakes have no gazetted names and they are broadly supportive of naming a landmark at Berwick Springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*This is according to documentation released under freedom of information requests.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

November 2022<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Casey “comfortable with the Project”<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

City of Casey\u2019s Landscape Design and Construction and Connected Communities teams confirmed that they are responsible for the management of physical infrastructure at the site. City of Casey have indicated they are comfortable with the project*, including installation of plaques, signs and benches at the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*According to documents created by the DFFH and released under freedom of information requests.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

July 2023<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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City of Casey agrees to lead the naming process<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

DFFH met with representatives from Geographic Names Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Ambulance Victoria, Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority, Melbourne Water and City of Casey regarding the proposal and to progress next steps. At this meeting it was confirmed that “Melbourne Water are (sic) the Naming Authority”, however “City of Casey has agreed lead the naming process.<\/mark><\/strong>” (sic)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

October 2023<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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DFFH Sends “Proposal” to City of Casey<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

DFFH sends a proposal to The city of Casey to provide the details for Casey to create the renaming proposal to be presented to GNV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of the timeline of 2022-2023 is derived from this proposal.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11th December 2023<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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“Melbourne Water Responsible for Community Consultation”<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring preliminary discussions in November 2023, it was suggested by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing that City of Casey run the consultation process for the renaming of the lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A letter dated 11 December 2023 was sent to Registrar of Geographic Names advising that, “as Melbourne Water are (sic) the registered owner of the land and therefore the naming authority, they are responsible to lead the community consultation process with the support of Geographic Names Victoria.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14th December 2023<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Melbourne Water Requires Broader Consultation if it is to Lead the Renaming<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In an email dated 14th December 2023 Melbourne Water wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The feedback from Geographic Names Victoria and Casey Council is that the current community consultation has not been exhaustive, and rather was focussed on Sikh communities opposed to the broader community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Melbourne Water to consider this name change proposal, broader community consultation should be led and undertaken by DFFH with support from DEECA (GNV). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This commitment has come from the Minister, and should be led by the relevant department. It is Melbourne Waters preferred position that this consultation is led by the relevant Government Departments seeking the name change, who have the required resources and subject matter expertise to lead a community consultation process for this location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne Water consider this different from a Community or Traditional Owner request where Melbourne Water would typically support and lead this consultation process where required.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

26 May 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Ingrid Stitt seeks Ministerial Direction<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Minister Ingrid Stitt writes to Minister Sonya Kilkenny to seek a ministerial direction to rename Berwick Springs Lake. She states all avenues have been \u201cexhausted\u201d . Melbourne Water and the City of Casey do not have \u201cthe capacity\u201d to lead the renaming process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The briefing documents talk of \u201cextensive community consultation and Stitt\u2019s letter states “The City of Casey has also provided support for the proposed landmark location\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

29th September 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Kilkenny ignores the GNV Preference for “Broader Consultation<\/strong>“<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Despite receiving a briefing stating that Geographic Names Victoria’s’ recommendation was for “broader consultation with the community and relevant stakeholder groups”, Kilkenny opted for ministerial direction, ignoring the community around Berwick Springs Lake.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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“Renaming” Press Release<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Stitt issues a press release \u201ccelebrating\u201d the renaming<\/mark><\/strong> of Berwick Springs Lake to Guru Nanak Lake. This is the first time residents of Berwick Springs are aware of the name change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The renaming is presented in the context of the launch of the \u2018Remember a local, Name a Place\u2019 initiative. A reasonable person would infer the renaming to be part of the initiative.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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MP’s Descend upon Berwick Springs<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Seven MP\u2019s descend upon Berwick Springs Lake, including two ministers of state, to publicly celebrate the renaming. Not a single local resident was invited, many still remain unaware of what happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local MP Gary Maas attended the ceremony. To our knowledge, he did not discuss this issue with members of his electorate and only recently has engaged with the Berwick Springs Community Association.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Petition<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Incredulous at the news, upset by the lack of<\/p>\n\n\n\n

consultation, and appalled by the introduction of divisive sectarian politics, residents respond by creating a petition to have the name Berwick Springs Lake reinstated.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Brad Battin Questions Lack of Consultation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Brad Battin, the Liberal member for Berwick asks in Parliament about the lack of consultation but does not receive an answer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Stitt Speaks in Parliament<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Stitt announces in Parliament that “many locals love the idea\u201d \u2013 this despite the fact that local residents had not been consulted and are yet to come across those individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The State Government changes its line, now claiming that the name Berwick Springs Lake never existed. They hide behind a technicality – that the name had never been gazetted (i.e. officially recorded) and therefore was not renamed. This despite a sign and press release five (5) days earlier stating the opposite – “… was renamed”. It also conveniently ignores the fact that if a place name has been used a long period of time, the unofficial name takes precedence over all others when seeking to registering a place name.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Maas Wades In<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Gary Maas appeared to be of the opinion that believing in the democratic process, expecting Government to follow its own rules and their MPs’ to consult with their constituents, makes a person a Neo Nazi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The post was later removed but not before a descendant of a holocaust-survivor was appalled at the inference she was a Neo-Nazi.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

18 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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“Name a Place in Victoria?”<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In an email response to a Berwick Springs resident  Melbourne Water stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 “Guru Nanak Lake was named through a Victorian State Government run initiative called ‘Name a place in Victoria’. This initiative is managed by the Department of Transport & Planning, and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the second time Melbourne Water communiques stated this.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

18 November 2025<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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City of Casey – “Not Involved”<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

City of Casey creates a post on its website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Council is aware of conversations that took place between the Victorian Government, Melbourne Water, and Geographic Names Victoria; however, Council was not involved in the naming of the lake or have any authority on the naming of the lake.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, despite almost constant involvement from 2022.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

19 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Brad Battin’s Consultation Paper<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Brad Battin launches a consultation paper to allow residents of Berwick Springs to voice their opinions about the renaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click Here<\/a> to have your say!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

19 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Maas Finally Responds to Residents<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Maas sends an email to the residents who had been contacting him for days. He argues that Berwick Springs Lake, the very same lake he dropped trout into in September 2022, did not have a name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also wrote: \u201cThe lake landmark was selected due to its positioning in the City of Casey which is home to a large Sikh community population\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we now know that \u201clarge\u201d Sikh population accounted for 1.9% <\/strong>of Narre Warren South’s population in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For \u201cthe avoidance of doubt\u201d he went on, \u201cthe Guru Nanak Lake was not named under the \u2018Name a Place\u2019 Campaign.\u201d This despite the initial media release inferring that it was and two statements from Melbourne Water, the landowner, stating outright that it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He confirmed what was becoming apparent from other communications, consultation had taken place with Bunurong Land Council, Victorian Multicultural Commission, City of Casey, Melbourne Water, Emergency Management Victoria, Geographic Names Victoria and multiple Sikh Community Groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why were Berwick Springs residents NOT consulted, when it is a requirement of the naming process?<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

19 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Community Meeting<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

More than 600 residents attended a community meeting held by MP Brad Battin at Berwick Springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents overwhelmingly opposed the State Govt\u2019s renaming of Berwick Springs Lake<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

26 November 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Jacinta Allan uses the term Neo-Nazi<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The Victorian Premier, making the most of Parliamentary Privilege, used the term \u2018Neo-Nazi\u2019 in the context of the discussion about the renaming, inferring that those opposing the renaming of Berwick Springs Lake were Neo-Nazis.cw<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

20 December 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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To Name a Place or Not to Name a Place?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Transport and Planning responded to resident\u2019s questioning about Name a Place Victoria by stating that Berwick Springs Lake had not been renamed under that scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letter confirmed that: \u201cUnder the Act and the naming rules, there are provisions for the responsible Minister (currently the Minister for Planning) to name places and direct the Registrar to gazette and register a name. This provision was used in the naming of Guru Nanak Lake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This confirms that neither Melbourne Water, nor The City of Casey lead the renaming and The State Government used its powers to force the change through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freedom of information requests have been lodged with Melbourne Water and The City of Casey to understand what capacity restraints prevented them from leading the renaming.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

23 December 2024<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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City of Casey advocates Consultation Regarding “Signage” <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

“Council has advocated that a consultation process be undertaken with the community regarding the<\/em> design, installation and location of any signage. A letter was sent on 23 December 2024 to the<\/em> Department of Premier and Cabinet and Geographic Names Victoria (GNV) to this effect. To date no<\/em> response has been received and it is unknown whether Council (and the community) will be consulted<\/em> on any signage proposed.<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CIty of Casey minutes, council meeting, 18 February 2025<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11 February 2025<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Berwick Springs Community Association<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Residents of Berwick Springs gathered together to form the Berwick Springs Community Association (BSCA). Its purpose is to protect The Berwick Springs name, heritage,  surroundings and the multicultural, multifaith, inclusive community. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

18 February 2025<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Website Launched, Social Media Presence Extended<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Residents of Berwick Springs gathered together to form the Berwick Springs Community Association (BSCA). Its purpose is to protect The Berwick Springs name, heritage,  surroundings and the multicultural, multifaith, inclusive community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berwick Springs Lake has a name, no reason to change it.<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.berwicksprings.com.au<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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