Name change proposed for some Brisbane suburbs

Russell Island would be given an Aboriginal name under the proposal.

SOME Brisbane suburbs are set to undergo a name change as part of a proposal tabled by the State Government today.

Under the proposal Russell Island would receive an Aboriginal name, Kalinga would officially become a suburb and an area of Wishart near Eight Mile Plains on Brisbane’s southside would be named Wishart Outlook.

Russell Island would undergo the most dramatic change with the name Canaipa Island.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said Redland City Council, the Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce and the island’s traditional owners, the Quandamooka People, all supported the gradual change for Russell Island, which would start with a dual name.

“Dual naming is where two names co-exist until the Indigenous name is broadly accepted,” Dr Lynham said.

“Initially the European name, Russell Island, appears first and the indigenous name, Canaipa Island, appears second.

“In the local dialect of the Bunjalung language Canaipa means place of ironbark spear.”

He also said changes for Wishart and Kalinga would allow for the establishment of better transport and delivery of emergency services.

Residents are invited to give their thoughts on the matter with submissions closing on July 29.