Referred to last century as Prospect River, Fairfield’s River or George River, the creek re-naming has won local State MPs’ backing with Mr Hyde’s idea to be considered by the Geographical Names Board later this month.
With support from State Member for Bankstown, Tania Mihailuk, Mr Hyde met with the State Member for East Hills, Wendy Lindsay, as well as the State MPs for the bordering electorates of Cabramatta and Fairfield, to discuss the river upgrade proposal near where it empties into the Georges River at Georges Hall.
It also runs through Lansdowne, Lansvale, Canley Vale and Carramar.
Ms Lindsay said she was “pleased to support the submission to the Geographical Names Board and found it inspiring to engage with someone who displays such passion for the local area”.
Mr Hyde said: “This proposal is about recognising the current Prospect Creek name is a source of confusion with the community calling this a river for over 180 years. It’s time the Government stepped up and gave this section of waterway the legal classification it deserves – river status.
“What better name to give this new river than to honour colonial stonemason David Lennox, a figure who played an integral role in the development of NSW through his position as Superintendent of Bridges and having built the historic Lansdowne Bridge which crosses this waterway and still carries the Hume Highway from Sydney to Melbourne today.”
Ms Mihailuk said it was a worthwhile proposal “which would pay homage to the historical significance of Lansdowne Bridge”.