Bayside Council will make a formal submission to the Geographic Names Board to endorse the dual name Wadhangarii-Barton Park for Barton Park following a decision at the Council Meeting on Wednesday 22 October.
Wadhangarii is the Dharawal word for Old Man Banksia (Banksia serrata) an iconic, well-recognisable local Banksia tree species found around Barton Park and for this reason wadhangarii (wad-un-garee) is the preferred Dharwal word for dual naming Barton Park.
Council adopted a Place Naming Policy at its meeting of 24 May 2023 to provide a clear framework for considering place naming proposals for reserves, roads, facilities, places, bridges and other geographical features within the LGA.
Since May 2025 Council has been investigating the potential for dual naming of Barton Park, in accordance with the Geographical Names Board of NSW (GNB) Dual Naming Policy.
Council engaged the Bayside Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group and the Local Aboriginal Land Council to determine whether the Barton Park area has an existing Aboriginal name that meets the GNB criteria.
Council has also sought any objections to the proposed dual name from Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The Gujaga Foundation assisted with the community engagement for this work, consulting with the Aboriginal community, Traditional Custodians, Elders and the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council. All RAP Working Group members are associated with either of the two Local Aboriginal Land Councils and have been included in this consultation.
The Gujaga Foundation did not identify an existing Aboriginal place name for the area around Barton Park, recommending instead Dharawal words for objects local to the site.
The Geographic Names Board will exhibit the proposed dual name for public comment, and Council will support this process by promoting the public exhibition through its Have Your Say page to give the local community an opportunity to provide feedback.
