Council meeting outcome
At the public Council meeting on 23 April 2025 Council endorsed the proposed name Gananyu Bulukul Viewing Platform to be submitted to Geographic Names Victoria for formal naming.
Frankston City Council has recently surveyed the community of a proposal to name the viewing platform in Seaford Wetlands.
Frankston Council has made a final decision on the name for the viewing platform.
- A report was presented to Council on 23 April 2025 and endorsed on this date.
- 39 written submissions were received directly relating to the naming of the viewing platform in Seaford Wetlands, the submissions and council response are provided in the document below.
With consideration of the objections and officer response, Council endorsed the naming proposal of Gananyu Bulukul Viewing Platform.
Council will now send the proposal to the Registrar of Geographic Names.
Community members have the opportunity to appeal the Council’s decision.
All appeals must be made in writing and sent by mail to the:
Registrar of Geographic Names
Geographic Names Victoria
DELWP, PO BOX 500
East Melbourne, Victoria 3002
or by email to geo.names@delwp.vic.gov.au.
All appeals must be received by 31 May 2025.
An appeal will only be considered if the objector can demonstrate that either:
- the naming authority did not consider the objections during its deliberations.
- the proposal does not reasonably conform to the requirements of Naming Rules for Places in Victoria – Statutory requirements for naming roads, features and localities– 2022.
Why do we need to formally name this place?
Frankston City Council is a naming authority under the Naming rules for places in Victoria 2022 - Statutory requirements for naming roads, features and localities and is responsible for the naming and renaming of roads, features and localities within the municipality.
It is important for places to have a registered name to help ambulance, fire and police services reach the location quickly in an emergency. Frankston City Council encourages names that act as a reminder of local history, culture and citizens, whilst being mindful of needing to achieve a balanced representation of:
- Indigenous Australia
- Gender equality
- Local historical events or figures
- A multicultural present
About this proposal
Frankston City Council has been granted funding from State Government through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to undertake improvement works within and adjacent to the Seaford Wetlands.
The Seaford Wetlands Rejuvenation project has a number of components that include:
- installing a new viewing platform with additional seating, amenities and interpretive signage to replace the existing viewing platform at the southern lookout area;
- new wayfinding and interpretative signage to accommodate a self-guided tour through the wetlands, which will include significant ecological and cultural information. All facilities upgrades will ensure the environmental significance and natural aesthetics of the Seaford Wetlands.
- a walking and cycling bridge that has been constructed across the Kananook Creek Canal immediately north of the Wetlands.
Extensive consultation has been undertaken with the BLCAC as the project has progressed, in particular to develop a complex Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the wayfinding signage location and installation works, to incorporate Traditional Owners artwork into the interpretive signage designs, and to consider a Traditional Owner name for the viewing platform at the southern lookout of the Seaford Wetlands.
In June 2024, the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation met with Elders and knowledge holders for this purpose and recommended the viewing platform located within Seaford Wetlands to be named as “Gananyu Bulukul Viewing Platform”. Visit the Seaford Wetlands Viewing platform webpage for further information on the overall project
About the name "Gananyu Bulukul" (Gan-an-yoo Bool-ook-ool)
It was selected by Bunurong Land Council for this location because the name links to the wetlands, to the important Kananook creek, to women's places and to women's material culture, including the digging stick.
Council had previously conducted engagement with the community in 2023 on the Seaford Wetlands Rejuvenation Project. When asked for feedback on what participants would like to know about Aboriginal Cultural Values at the wetlands, areas of interest included indigenous naming. Comments were also received in relation to wayfinding signage and responses included interest in Aboriginal language and place naming
In support of the response to the Seaford Wetlands Rejuvenation Project community engagement feedback, the RAP Action No. 10: Promote respect and recognition for the Traditional Custodians of the land through acknowledgement on council signs and buildings and recognising the cultural linkage of the name to this area, Council further supports the proposed indigenous name for the viewing platform.
