The City of Ballarat plans to create the new suburb to tackle over-population in the region and put its name open for public consultation in mid-May. 

Several councillors have reported little, if any, feedback from the local community. 

“I don’t know whether people just don’t care or they’ll wait to see the proposal,” south ward councillor Peter Innes said. 

“Interest to date has been extremely low.”

Cr Innes said a council road worker employee suggested the name Greenhalgh – Scottish for undulating land with trees – because of its historical link to the region’s tannery.

Deputy mayor Des Hudson said the naming proposal had excited locals. 

“That’s not unusual to not be inundated by a whole lot of names. It’s about finding the people with a good idea in mind,” he said. 

“Someone will come up with a good idea that resonates with local community.”

Cr Hudson said Ballarat’s most recent suburb, Lucas, which was named after the philanthropic Lucas girls, was an example of how a suburb name could be linked to a community. 

While some Ballarat locals may have an opinion on the name, Cr Hudson admitted a portion might not necessarily want to go through the submission process. 

“I guess if it’s overly burdensome people may reluctantly disengage with the process,” he said. 

North ward councillor Vicki Coltman said the community closest to the new area would normally put in submissions.

“One suggestion was to keep it as Delacombe, but we don’t want our suburbs to become these massive sprawls,” she said. 

“It’s very difficult for people to find places if suburbs are very large.” 

The City of Ballarat could not provide The Courier with figures on current submissions, but infrastructure acting general manager Chris Hutton urged residents to suggest a name for the suburb in the Ballarat west growth area. 

Mr Hutton said name suggestions must comply with geographical guidelines for names, which were available from the council’s website, and should be submitted in writing to the council’s place names officer, Lani Smith, by 5pm on June 23.

william.vallely@fairfaxmedia.com.au