By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) decided not to name the new Rose City FM building or the cul-de-sac leading up to it at the recent Ordinary Council Meeting.
The new building’s name had initially been out for public consultation, however, Rose City FM themselves and other locals stated that any name given to the building would most likely not be used by locals as it would simply be known as ‘the radio’ or ‘Rose City FM’.
It was suggested that the cul-de-sac leading up to the building be named, with suggestions included for what this could be.
Councillor Sheryl Windle asked in the meeting why Rose City FM could not be used as a name for the building, to which a staff member responded this did not follow the policy as a name could not be advertising for a business.
Councillor Marco Gliori questioned whether the building would have a sign for Rose City FM on it anyway.
“If it goes on there but it’s not officially named (Rose City FM), do we need to officially name this building?”
A staff member stated this was SDRC’s decision.
Councillor Stephen Tancred said he thinks it’s great that SDRC goes to community consultation, “but we have to listen to what we hear”.
“The people that have formed and run Rose City FM so well, are saying to us that they would prefer the building wasn’t named and they are suggesting we name the road.”
“And I don’t want to upset the volunteers by going against what they’ve told us,” he said.
He noted the correspondence in the agenda item, where it was indicated they’d had meetings regarding this topic.
“I would prefer to go with what they’ve suggested.”
Councillor Ross Bartley said he agreed with this and those from Rose City FM should be listened to.
He stated Rose City FM does not currently have an address at the new location that correspondence can be sent to, and naming the cul-de-sac before the building would also remedy this.
John Mulder had indicated in his correspondence with SDRC this was an issue when undergoing things such as connecting NBN to the new site.
“I think that’s important that we look at that too.”
He asked whether they had to go through another naming process to do that.
Councillor Andrew Gale stated that while one suggestion was to name the road after late local legend Graham Buchner, there were also calls to name other places in the region after him.
“That’s my only reluctance to adopting that name to that road if that’s the process that we take, is that it then would be in conflict with our future road naming policy.
“I think Graham was someone who is deserving of being recognised and I agree with the sentiment of the Rose City FM committee to name that after him but I’d hate to see that bigger opportunity or that very prominent piece of highway fall foul of our naming policy in the future.
“I know that its main roads, it’s part of the national highway and that might not occur, but I believe that there have been approaches made to Minister Littleproud and the State Government in relation to naming that part of the highway “Graham Buchner Way’.”
CEO Dave Burges said as the cul-de-sac before the new Rose City FM building is part of the park, SDRC would need to go through the process of extricating it from that in order to name it.
He stated it was more a driveway than a dedicated road, and giving it a number along Wallace Street and a sign outside might be a better option.
Councillor Windle stated she agreed with Councillor Gale, as Minister Littleproud has publically stated there was a suggestion to have the Graham Buchner Way along the highway out of Warwick.
“I do think that would be far more fitting for Graham and to remember him by. If we don’t really have to name this I would rather see it just left unnamed; the building and the road.”
Councillor Jo McNally echoed this statement, saying “if we don’t need to name it…leave it be”.
The matter has been delegated to the engineering department, who will most likely give the building a number along Wallace Street.
