Confusion Over Williams Landing Ward Name Leads to Call for Change

Councillors Rally for Ward Renaming

The name of Wyndham’s Williams Landing ward has caused confusion, according to its sitting councillor, Larry Zhao. Cr Zhao, who raised a notice of motion to rename the ward at the council meeting on February 25, argued that the current name does not accurately reflect the composition of the area, as most residents do not live in the suburb of Williams Landing.

“Only around 20 per cent of the residents are actually from the suburb – 80 per cent of the residents live in Point Cook, Truganina and Hoppers Crossing,” he said. “Residents have raised that the name of the ward is confusing.”

The motion called on the council to write to Local Government Minister Nick Staikos, requesting that he reconsider the Williams Landing ward name, with the goal of changing it to something more representative of the ward’s actual residents.

Cr Jasmine Hill, while acknowledging the issue, said that it wasn’t a major concern. She noted that her own ward, Featherbrook, could lead to similar confusion. “Featherbrook is only an estate but covers almost the entirety of Point Cook,” Cr Hill said. “It can be confusing for some of the wards.”

Cr Jennie Barrera, who supported the motion, pointed out that this issue is not isolated to Williams Landing. Her own ward, Heathdale, covers most of Werribee but is named after an estate. “I’m going to support it, you’re not the only ward, but I will support it,” Cr Barrera said. “There are also issues with some of the other wards.”

The motion was passed unanimously.