Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lathlain Precinct?

The Lathlain Precinct has long been identified by the Town as an area for enhancement and revival. The Lathlain Precinct Redevelopment Project (LPRP) is now in the Town’s Strategic Community Plan as a priority project. There are eight project zones that make up the LPRP that will undergo redevelopment and/or revitalisation.

The project was delivered by the Town in partnership with the West Coast Eagles and the Perth Football Club. This partnership aims to set new standards in the delivery of an active community sports complex and substantial community benefits to the people of Lathlain, and the broader community.

For more information, please visit the Town's dedicated project website

Who chose the names?

The names chosen were a collaboration between the Mindeera Advisory Group (formerly named the Aboriginal Engagement Advisory Group) and the Town of Victoria Park.

What is the Mindeera Advisory Group?

The Mindeera Advisory Group engages with the Town and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait community to provide advice for the delivery of the Reconcilliation Action Plan.

The previous Aboriginal Engagement Advisory Group considered Aboriginal name options in 2019 and proposed names at its November 2019 meeting.

Why were those specific names chosen by the group?

• Karak-ap Park (place of the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo) – because of their Vulnerable Conservation Status and due to this locality enjoying an annual visit from family groups of these birds to feed on the fruit of the cape lilac trees in the neighbourhood, and on flowering eucalypts.
• Ngoolyak Park (Carnaby White-tailed Black Cockatoo) – because of the Endangered Conservation Status (Carnaby’s and Baudin’s) of this native bird and due to the occasional visits of Carnaby’s to the locality.
• Koolbardi Park (Australian Magpie) – due to the year round presence of these native birds in the neighbourhood and the park.

How is the Town working with the newly appointed Mindeera Advisory Group?

The newly formed Town of Victoria Park Mindeera Advisory Group held its initial meeting on the evening of 11 November 2020. An item for discussion for the Group was the bird names (Carnaby forest red tail black cockatoo, white tail black cockatoo and Australian magpie) being proposed for the new park on Bishopsgate Street Carlisle. The Mindeera Advisory Group had undertaken investigation and research including with Whadjuk Noongar Elders, and have advised that

• forest red tail black cockatoo is karak and Whadjuk Noongar for the place of the karak is karak-ap
• white tail black cockatoo is ngoolyak
• Australian magpie is koolbardi

This information will be included in the Council report for name consideration. The Town takes advice from the Mindeera Advisory Group for the spelling of Aboriginal names.

Why is there different spellings for the Whadjuk Noongar names being promoted?

An Aboriginal language is an oral language and spelling is relatively open and dependant on phonetics and locality. The Town take advice from the Mindeera Advisory Group for the spelling that will be submitted to the Geographical Names Committee at Landgate, who consider and select the place name.

What is the process on changing the name or naming of parks?

The policies and standards for geographical naming in Western Australia includes a number of fundamental requirements for the naming of roads, administrative boundaries, cultural and topographical features. They include legislative considerations, external policies and cultural factors to ensure a sound toponymic heritage for future generations on Western Australians. For more information please visit the Landgate.

Who is the final decision maker?

Community feedback and Mindeera Advisory Group advice will be included in a report item and presented at a future Ordinary Council Meeting. The decision for formally naming a place lies with the State Government Geographic Names Committee at Landgate.

Has the three names being approved by Landgate?

All three names have been pre-approved by Landgate.

Has the park opening event been cancelled or postponed?

The original park opening was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions however, a new date has been found for the park opening to coincide with the Town of Victoria Park NAIDOC Week celebrations. Please join us 6pm on Friday 13 November 2020 for a special screening of the film 'Putaparri and the Rainmakers', have a barbecue and to enjoy all that the park has to offer.