CANADA BAY Council has voted to rename its newly amalgamated municipality ‘Rivendell’ — the name of JRR Tolkien’s elven outpost on Middle Earth from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

It’s a bizarre twist to the saga of the Sydney council mergers that will see Canada Bay merge with Burwood and Strathfield.

The decision by councillors has attracted widespread derision despite Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas pointing out that the name held historical significance to the area.

The council voted for the new name in its submission to the delegate reporting on proposed mergers but some quarters feel the municipality will become a laughing stock.

media_camera The old Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital and current youth mental health facility known as Rivendell, in Concord.

While Rivendell does have historical connections to the area — through a youth mental health facility in Concord — the name is recognised by millions of fans across the world as synonymous with JRR Tolkien’s fiction and the films that followed.

In 1893, philanthropist Thomas Walker left a legacy to build a convalescent hospital on the original estate called Rivendell in Concord.

The State Government changed the name of Thomas Walker Hospital to Rivendell in 1979.

media_camera An aerial view of Rivendell Hospital at Concord.

But council staff are dreading the ridicule, while merger proponents are claiming the name is ill-advised name and further evidence of the need for reform.

With Cr Tsirekas cast as Lord Elrond Half-elven, ruler of Rivendell, in the Second Age of Middle Earth, he could be hoping for political protection by the powers of his elven ring Vilya.

“The name was taken from Tolkien’s The Hobbit, where it was known as a place to rest or recuperate — a sanctuary for those on difficult journeys,” Cr Tsirekas said.

media_camera Mayor of Canada Bay Angelo Tsirekas who wants a new city taking in Canada Bay to be called Rivendell.

Drummoyne state Liberal MP John Sidoti said while the episode was entertaining, it was indicative of the council’s shambolic response to amalgamations.

“It doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going,” Mr Sidoti said.

“They have absolutely no credibility — first they want to voluntarily amalgamate with Auburn and then they want to stand alone.

“Rivendell wouldn’t have my support. I’d prefer something with ‘inner west’ in it.”

Cr Tsirekas said the council had done everything the government had requested during the “drawn-out” amalgamation process.

“If anything has been shambolic, it has been the process undertaken by the government, with the rules and criteria changing every few months,” he said.

media_camera Canada Bay ... not quite Middle Earth.

Strathfield independent councillor Helen McLucas laughed at Canada Bay’s suggested name.

“I do like elves but I think everybody should have a say,” she said.

“It’s up to residents and not councillors locked in a room together.”

Burwood Mayor John Faker said a council’s name should be decided in line with community consultation.

“My view is that there should be some kind of competition with local schools and the community, and I probably would have looked to a name that had a direct link with the area from a traditional point of view,” Cr Faker said.