The Strathfield Council has put forward a proposal to rename the entire Homebush and Homebush West area located south of the railway line to Strathfield. This initiative has sparked a mixed response among residents, with some suggesting it is a strategy to enhance property values.<\/p>\n
The council is currently inviting public input on the proposal, with feedback being accepted until May 17. The plan has drawn criticism for allegedly focusing on “snob value,” although officials argue that the name change is intended to alleviate confusion regarding the suburb’s geographical identity.<\/p>\n
Situated just south of Sydney Olympic Park, which was formerly known as Homebush Bay before its transformation into the venue for the 2000 Olympic Games, the area has a historical connection to the Homebush name. Strathfield Deputy Mayor Jean-Paul Baladi noted that residents living south of the railway line wish to distance themselves from the properties and associations linked to the northern area, closer to Olympic Park.<\/p>\n
Mr. Baladi shared with 702 ABC Sydney, “There is a lot of confusion regarding what Homebush really signifies. People associate it with the stadium, the Olympics, and the Sydney Markets at Flemington.” He also pointed out that those supportive of the name change are interested in aligning with Strathfield, which boasts higher real estate values. “Strathfield was ranked the 11th most expensive suburb in Australia last year,” he added, acknowledging some self-interest in the move.<\/p>\n
However, not all locals agree with the proposal. Michelle Sharkey, a long-time resident of the area, expressed her discontent by stating, “I don\u2019t want to be called Strathfield. Strathfield is a vast area, while Homebush is a charming little suburb.” Similarly, Robyn Pogmore, who grew up in Strathfield and has resided in Homebush for a decade, viewed the plan as an attempt to elevate property values, remarking, “The name Strathfield carries a snob value that Homebush does not.” Maxime Pelligrin, another local, shared his sentiment that it would be unfortunate for the suburb to lose its identity as Homebush, emphasizing the distinct character of the area.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, some residents see potential benefits in the name change. Renter Zi Ye noted that aligning with Strathfield could enhance property values due to the larger train station and higher real estate prices associated with the area. Strathfield station is well-connected within the Sydney transport network, offering both city-bound and west-bound express trains.<\/p>\n
Conversely, local resident Suzie Hassarati expressed her concerns that the name change could negatively impact property values in Strathfield. “Walking into Homebush presents a different atmosphere compared to Strathfield,” she remarked, highlighting that many buyers in Strathfield seek large properties and proximity to private schools and the city.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the decision regarding the suburb’s renaming is beyond the council\u2019s jurisdiction, as it rests with the NSW Geographical Names Board (GNB). Should the proposal gain approval, the council would forward it to the GNB for further evaluation, which would include additional community consultations.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the area north of Homebush railway station is poised for significant development, as the state government has identified it as one of several transport-oriented precincts slated for increased high-density housing. A rezoning initiative proposed by the Department of Planning aims to introduce 18,000 new homes within the 200-hectare area north of the Homebush train station.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Strathfield Council has put forward a proposal to rename the entire Homebush and Homebush West area located south of the railway line to Strathfield. This initiative has sparked a mixed response among residents, with some suggesting it is a strategy to enhance property values. The council is currently inviting public input on the proposal, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4992,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[43,379,319],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia","category-au-local-government","category-au-urban-development-and-planning"],"yoast_head":"\n