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A BATHURST councillor has again moved to assure the public that the proposed dual naming of Mount Panorama would have no impact on the world-famous racing circuit. The Bathurst Aboriginal Lands Council has applied to have the Mount’s traditional name, Wahluu, formally gazetted. The process took its next step last week when the Geographical Names Board (GNB) announced it was seeking public submissions on the proposal. GNB chairman Des Mooney said the dual naming would not spell the end of Mount Panorama but, rather, mean the area could be referred to by either name. “Once an area has been dual named it can be referred to by either name and it is not intended for one name to take precedence over the other,” he said. “In this instance, if the proposal for dual naming is successful, it will mean the area would retain the name Mount Panorama, but could also be called Wahluu.” Cr Monica Morse said she strongly supported the dual naming and wanted the public, particularly racing fans, to be assured it was not an attack on the Mount Panorama name. And she said the lead-up to Bathurst’s bicentenary celebrations next year was the perfect time to pursue dual naming. “We need to take steps to involve and engage the local Aboriginal community,” Cr Morse said. “We are working closely with the Wiradjuri people and local Aboriginal people, wherever they have come from, to tell our shared stories, and Wahluu was a very important part of that culture.” Cr Morse said there remained some misunderstanding in the community about the purpose of dual naming Mount Panorama. “Just reading some Facebook comments and an online petition [opposed to the dual naming], I’m concerned some people still do not understand what we are trying to do,” she said. “Mount Panorama will always be Mount Panorama, that’s not going to change. But we do have to be sensitive to the importance of local geographic features to the Aboriginal people.” Submissions on the dual naming close on September 15 and can be lodged at www.gnb.nsw.gov.au or mailed to the Secretary, Geographical Names Board, 346 Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, 2795.

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