A Warrumbungle Shire Council project to update town entrance signage has sparked significant community debate, centering around the inclusion of traditional Aboriginal Country names...or lack thereof.

Council is currently inviting residents to provide feedback on the proposed designs for signage in various townships, with copies displayed at key locations including supermarkets and Council offices, as well as online.

Residents are encouraged to submit their opinions through Council’s official channels by 4.30pm on Friday, 7 June.

Despite active discussions on social media, only written submissions made through Council’s website or in hard copy to the general manager will be considered.

Acknowledgement

Councillor Kodi Brady has been a vocal advocate for incorporating traditional Country names on the new signage.

Cr Brady expressed disappointment over the proposal to include these names only on brass plaques on the sandstone footings, potentially unnoticed by passersby travelling at speed.

“I’m very appreciative that there’s something, but I still feel it falls short – if you are driving past at 40, 50, 70 kilometres per hour, it will go unseen,” Cr Brady said.

“These signs are going to be in place for 50-plus years – we need to get it right.”

In contrast, the Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee initially resolved not to include Aboriginal Country wording in the Town Entrance Sign Project at a meeting held in August last year.

While this was reconsidered at its most recent meeting in February, where the option to install brass plaques was put forward, the decision has been met with criticism from local Indigenous leaders and community members who feel that proper acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land is essential.

Disconnect

Michael Ross, CEO of Baradine Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), and Brandon Nixon, CEO of Coonabarabran LALC, have both made strong objections to the exclusion of traditional Country names from the signs

and are calling for more visible recognition.

Mr Ross emphasised the importance of such acknowledgments, which are standard at many public events and locations.

“As an Indigenous man myself, I like to know whose Country I am leaving, and whose country I am entering,” Mr Ross said.

Mr Nixon echoed these sentiments, stressing that failing to include Aboriginal Country names would mar the positive relationship between the Gamilaraay people and Warrumbungle Shire Council.

“Not having Aboriginal wording on the new town signage will only cause a disconnect between Aboriginal people and the land,” Mr Nixon said.

“Aboriginal people develop a sense of belonging to their community through the land, the sky, and the water. We welcome people to our land with open arms and are extremely proud to ‘show it off’.”

Mr Nixon said a number of key tourism attractions - Warrumbungle National Park, Siding Spring Observatory, Pilliga Forest and the Castlereagh River - boasted a long, rich history of Aboriginal culture, history and practises.

“These tourism areas are visited all year round by locals and visitors who have a strong interest in the rich Aboriginal history and the interest is only increasing as time goes on and experiences are provided in these areas, which deliver a high economic turnover for Council.

“Council’s ESCAPE Visitor Guide, our tourism magazine, is located all over Australia and features traditional language and an Acknowledgement to Country, however, when they visit the Warrumbungle region, not having adequate inclusion of Aboriginal wording on the town signs would provide no connection to the traditional lands which people are visiting.”

While it has been suggested that community groups might repurpose the old town signage for Acknowledgement of Country, funding for this initiative remains a concern.

In spite of this, Cr Brady remains hopeful and urges the community to formally submit their views to the Council.

“Just remember to have your say. Not just on Facebook – write a submission to Council.”

Submissions close Friday, 7 June.