'North Bank' naming suggestions roll in

Published on 20 April 2018

North Bank play3_med.jpg

Launceston residents have suggested nearly 200 potential new names for the North Bank park redevelopment.

Earlier this month the Council put out a call for community ideas to help name the new $9.15m North Bank park which will be constructed this calendar year.

The park redevelopment will include new recreational walking and cycling trails, barbecue facilities, a major new all-abilities playspace, sensory gardens, musical play equipment, a parkour area, a 'Sky Walk', events spaces and much more.

 

While the area has commonly been referred to as "North Bank" for many years there's already a "North Bank" in Trevallyn, and with work now underway on the park upgrade it's time to formalise a name for the redeveloped park.

Some of the suggestions received so far, and the reasoning behind them, include:

• "Ponrabbel Park — Suggested by my father as it is the name of a historical vessel associated with the area."

• "Junction Point — It's close to where three bodies of water meet."

• "Kanamaluka Park — It is the aboriginal name for the Tamar River, and sounds lovely."

• "The North Bank Soundgarden — Because of all the musical instruments included in the playground and the musical sounds of children's laughter which will be heard everytime they play here."

• "Walter Park — In honour of Walter George Arthur. Walter was an indigenous boy born in 1820, taken away from his Ben Lomond tribe by labourers, but managed to escape to Launceston at age six. Walter soon became proficient in pickpocketing and general mischievousness and was nick-named 'Friday'. Launceston's own Oliver Twist. Walter was eventually brought into a boys' orphan school where he was able to learn high level reading and writing skills... Walter wrote a petition to Queen Victoria demanding the dismissal of the Flinders island superintendent and he was successful. This was the first ever petition to a reigning monarch to come out of the Australian colonies, and it reached Queen Victoria. The superintendent was sacked. All of this from a Launceston boy who chose a life of education, over one of pickpocketing and petty crime. I think it would be very fitting to name the park in honour of Walter. Cheers."

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten thanked Launceston residents for their suggestions.

"It's extremely pleasing that so many people have suggested such a diverse mix of names," Mayor van Zetten said.

"It's clear people have put a lot of thought into it, and in some cases have done a lot of research to put forward a name they genuinely feel would suit the park.

"We're accepting suggestions up until Friday, May 4 at www.yourvoiceyourlaunceston.com.au so there's still a few weeks for people to make their suggestions.

"After that, the Council we'll then weigh those names up, look at the stories behind them, and make suggestions to the Nomenclature Board of Tasmania.

"The Nomenclature has rules for place names in Tasmania, which can be found online at www.yourvoiceyourlaunceston.com.au and it will be important that suggestions fit within those guidelines.

"We sincerely appreciate everyone's suggestions, and look forward to receiving more before the closing date of May 4."

Meanwhile, the Council will be undertaking earth works at the site in coming days which will result in the closure of the levee pedestrian pathway from the St Patricks Rowing Club building to the Silos Hotel, until the end of April.

Access to Boathouse Coffee and all rowing clubs will remain open and signage will be in place to advise pedestrians and cyclists of the closure.

The work involves lowering a 150m section of the old earth levee.

This will have no impact on the security of the Invermay flood levee system, with a new concrete levee having been previously built closer to Lindsay St as part of the flood levee reconstruction program.

Mayor van Zetten said the works would provide channels for stormwater runoff from the redeveloped park as well as better sightlines to the river.