The names of five new suburbs in the Caboolture West area have been unveiled, with each name reflecting the rich indigenous heritage and unique natural environment of the area.
The newly named suburbs are Waraba, Lilywood, Wagtail Grove, Greenstone, and Corymbia.
Waraba, which is likely to include the town centre, is derived from the Kabi Kabi word for “burn,” symbolizing the traditional land management practices of the Kabi Kabi People. The rest of the names celebrate the Indigenous language, local wildlife, plants and rocks.
The process of selecting these names involved extensive consultation with the community and various stakeholders. The Moreton Bay Regional Council initiated a place naming project in 2021 and received an impressive 572 name suggestions from the community. The council’s aim was to involve residents in shaping the identity of their region, ensuring a strong sense of ownership and pride.
“The names of the new Caboolture West suburbs celebrate the local wildlife, plants, and rocks found in the area, as well as the unique heritage and culture of our Traditional Custodians,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.
Marking a significant milestone in the region’s growth and development, the creation of these suburbs is part of the plan to accommodate the projected population increase of 70,000 residents over the next four decades.
The Queensland Government has committed $25 million to fast-track the development of water and sewer infrastructure for the initial stages of Caboolture West. This investment will support the creation of approximately 30,000 new homes and the establishment of four State primary schools, two state secondary schools, four neighbourhood hubs, 15 local parks, and other essential features and infrastructure.
“Place names are a way to recognize the valuable role our culture plays in the history and future of the area,” said Associate Professor Eve Fesl, a Gubbi Gubbi Senior Elder, who expressed the significance of place names for Indigenous culture.
Mr Fesl, along with Mr Norman Bond and Mr Kerry Jones representing the Kabi Kabi First Nation Traditional Owners Native Title Claim Group, highlighted the importance of the name Waraba, which represents the land management practices that have nurtured the area for centuries.
Resident Peter Zillman, a sixth-generation local whose family has a long history in the Caboolture West region, welcomed the new suburb names. Zillman participated in the Suburb Boundary Focus Groups established by the Moreton Bay Regional Council and expressed his satisfaction with the community consultation process.
“It’s reassuring to see real results from that consultation,” he said. “It was even more pleasing to see the name Greenstone, after my wife raised it as a suggestion. The Rocksberg greenstone is a relatively localized geological formation, and the name is a nice association with the future development.”
With the boundaries of existing suburbs like Wamuran, Bellmere, Rocksberg, and Upper Caboolture also being adjusted to accommodate the new suburbs, Caboolture West is set to become a sustainable and vibrant community that embraces its cultural and environmental heritage.
Published 9-June-2023
