Locality name changes to Mt Richon

13/3/03
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced that a section of the Armadale Hills was to be renamed Mt Richon.
The name change follows a comprehensive referendum in which local residents and ratepayers were offered a choice of names for the locality.
Mt Richon will be the section bounded by South Western Highway, Albany Highway, Bungendore Park, Cooliaberra Drive and Leys Rise South Western.
Ms MacTiernan said she called for the poll in the best interests of democracy, after receiving complaints that an earlier survey had been limited.
"There was a great response to the referendum with 66 per cent (586) of the surveys returned. This indicates a clear and professional referendum that engaged the community in debating this issue," she said.
The returned survey forms were counted on March 11, with four local community scrutineers in attendance.
Of the surveys lodged:

• 89 per cent (468) supported a name change for the locality;
• 67 per cent of these supporting Mt Richon; and
• 33 per cent did not support a name change or did not prefer Mt Richon as the new locality name.

"The survey results also included a number of votes (114) that preferred a name which retained 'Armadale'," Ms MacTiernan said.
"However, it is clear that the majority of the community want to adopt Mt Richon. The official changes for the renaming to Mt Richon will be made immediately.
"Now that this issue has been resolved, Mt Richon and the greater Armadale area can now get on with building a stronger community."
Minister's office: 9213 6400