Berwick Springs Lake has been part of local identity since the estate was established, with roots tracing back to 1855. In November 2024, the Victorian Government renamed the lake to Guru Nanak Lake, without notifying or consulting the community.
The residents only found out after a renaming ceremony had occurred without their invitation or any public knowledge. No public notice. No local survey. No opportunity to have a say.
This isn't just about a sign with a new name at the water's edge. It’s about whether Victorians get a say in their local community.
What the Media is Saying
Residents, Not Bureaucrats, Should Decide
Local identity isn't something a department can redraw from a desk in the city, it's built over generations, by the people who live there.
When decisions like this are made behind closed doors and announced after the fact, it isn't just poor process, it’s a sign of disrespect.
The
Solution
Government shouldn't be able to override a community's identity just because it has the power to. We're calling for:
Reverse the renaming and let the people who live there decide, not a minister acting alone.
1. Give the decision back to residents
2. Real consent, not a tick-box exercise
Any future name change should have genuine local agreement first via a public consultation process.
3. Take away the minister's power to override the community
Change the rules so no single minister can bypass local consultation like this again.
Victorians shouldn't have to find out that their local landmark has a new name from a press release.
Take Action Today
Share this message. Help us send a clear signal to the Labor government:
Berwick Springs will not be forgotten.