Poll of Electors to Be Held on Saturday 8 September 2012

Poll of Electors to Be Held on Saturday 8 September 2012

Poll of Electors to be held on Saturday 8 September 2012

Council has resolved to hold a Poll of Electors on Saturday 8 September 2012 at which voters will be asked the following question:

“Are you in favour of Burwood Local Government Area being proclaimed a City to be known as Burwood City?”

‘YES’ CASE (City Status) / ‘NO CASE’ (City Status)
The Geographical Names Board defines a city as a centre of population, commerce and culture with all essential services, significant size and importance. The Burwood Local Government Area meets the criteria for city status. / The granting of city status to other local government areas does not appear to have significantly changed those areas. Many of the possible benefits of a change of name are questionable and may never eventuate. Why should Burwood bother going through this process if things aren’t going to change?
Burwood provides a high level of commercial, retail, medical, educational, legal and administrative services to the local community and this has been recognised by the State Government in the identification of Burwood as a major centre. / Burwood is too small to be a city. Even though we may meet the criteria for being a city, Burwood just doesn’t seem big enough. Some areas in Sydney might call themselves cities but that doesn’t mean that Burwood needs to be a city.
In Sydney, areas such as Canada Bay, Canterbury, Hurstville, Kogarah and Rockdale are classified as cities. Burwood provides equal or greater facilities and services for its community. It is not equitable that Burwood does not have the same status. / The Burwood local government area has been in existence since 1874 and the name has historical importance. The change may result in loss of identity for the Burwood area.
The term City carries with it prestige and status. Prestige and status may influence decisions such as:
  • organisations and businesses would look to Burwood as a location of choice for offices and headquarters that could potentially result in more job opportunities for locals and local youth
  • funding decisions by State and Federal Government bodies
  • where visitors conduct business or shop
  • where people conduct their recreational and leisure activities
/ Why change something that we are all used to?
The costs associated with changing the name can be minimised and spread over time. / The costs associated with changing the name will be borne by the ratepayers.
As the administrative, medical and educational centre of the region the recognition of Burwood as a City would formally acknowledge and align the role of Burwood with our peer Canada Bay and Canterbury Councils. / The outcomes of Burwood receiving city status are not fully known. It may lead to impacts that were not foreseen or may result in undesirable consequences for our local area.

For and Against Case authorised by: Veronica Lee, Acting General Manager, Burwood Council Suite 1 Level 2, 1-17 Elsie Street, Burwood