Request for renaming street here seen as racist!

Eric Frei · 14th August 2009, 01:13 AM

Here we go, have a read of this crap. See and say what you want, the Indians have already decided they know best and know your motives, apparently.

Plan to change Punjab Place to Oak Tree Place in Logan | National News | News.com.au

Quote:

Plan to change Punjab Place to Oak Tree Place in Logan

* Residents want to change street's name
* Say Punjab Place 'is not pretty'
* Accused of being racist

THE man who called a Queensland street Punjab Place said an attempt to change the name was "clear cut racism".

Developer Manjit Bopirai said he was responsible for the subdivision at Boronia Heights, in Logan south of Brisbane in 2005, and the street was named at his request.

Residents of the Oak Tree Lifestyle retirement village have lodged a petition with Logan City Council seeking to change the street's name to Oak Tree Place.

Mr Bopirai told The Courier-Mail would fight for the name Punjab Place.

"It's our heritage, it's our money. We can name it whatever we like," Mr Bopirai said.

"I have never called Australia a racist country but in this instance I will.

"These elderly people just want to make a noise. What's wrong with that name Punjab Place ?"

Mr Bopirai chose the name Punjab Place because he was from the northwest Indian state of Punjab.

"I'm a proud Punjabi. It's just a name we like and it lets everyone know we are successful people."

Due to accusations of racism the name change petition may be withdrawn from council.

'Nicer name'

Yesterday residents said they still wanted the street renamed Oak Tree Place, after the Oak Tree Lifestyle Village that dominates a quarter of the streetscape.

A 32-signature petition was submitted by village manager Dawn Ludlow to Cr Lynne Clarke, stating Oak Tree Place was a more suitable name for the street than Punjab - a northwest Indian state.

Residents outside the Boronia Heights village yesterday said they signed the petition because they felt Oak Tree was "prettier".

"This isn't racist," resident Ron Edmonds said.

"Oak Tree is just a nicer name."

Further up the cul-de-sac, resident Annie Liu said Punjab was an "Indian name".

"It is not against Indians but this is a beautiful street and Oak Tree is a beautiful name," she said.

"Punjab isn't as much."

But Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin president Umesh Chandra said the request to rename the street was devastating.

Given the controversy over attacks on Indian students in Australia, plans to remove an Indian street name would make relations worse.

"Regardless of whether this is just because one name is prettier than another, people in India would see it as a terrible slur; they are already cancelling trips to Australia over the treatment of students," Mr Chandra said.

"The majority of Indian students coming to Australia come from Punjab, too, which means this would escalate tensions.

"It is very disappointing. The name of the street is special."

Therrin · 14th August 2009, 11:01 PM

Isn't calling it Punjab Place racist in the first place??? You wanna name it Punjab Place, do it in Punjabi lol!

I think the Oak Tree Place name sounds really nice. And you wouldnt have to tell people how to spell it when you give them your address.

This is silly! What if it was named "Harlequin Place"? They dont have anything against Indian people, they just want a different name for their street. How did India's money go into it? That guy doesnt actually live on the street does he? He got paid for whatever work he did, sooo?

Garry Brockley · 15th August 2009, 12:13 AM

He was the main investor in the oaks hence he named it after home, hes made a song saying how much he loves australia, just in case they try to boot him out i guess.

Therrin · 15th August 2009, 12:35 AM

ahh, well. I live on "Crystal Lake Dr"... doesnt that sounds so nice? and pleasant? You could almost get a hammock and swing the day away with a glass of lemonade just thinking about that. Mmmmm Crystal Lake Drive...

"punjab place" just doesnt have the same ring to it.

"india lane" would have sounded better.

Paul Toivonen · 29th January 2012, 08:30 AM

It would be ironic if every second house in Punjab place was occupied by indians.
But it is true you dont see too many place names in other languages.
The planners could have a bit more imagination or learn how to use a dictionary.

Apocalypsse · 29th January 2012, 12:06 PM

Well if they change that name then obviously they have to change all the other names that refer to races, just like they did with blackboards in schools. There's a street in Mill Park call Blackman Ave, rename that one too?

Jeff Darby · 29th January 2012, 12:15 PM

They have already tried to change my hometown name..."Blacktown" they dont know it's already been changed form Blackstown to Blacktown...pack of whingers ironically it's not local aborigines that tried to do this but the local Sudanese. I would say as a guess the very thing that attracted them in the first place..go figger!!...it's just a name people...jeez.

14th August 2009, 11:01 PM	#2
Therrin Former Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 2,512	Re: Request for renaming street here seen as racist! Isn't calling it Punjab Place racist in the first place??? You wanna name it Punjab Place, do it in Punjabi lol! I think the Oak Tree Place name sounds really nice. And you wouldnt have to tell people how to spell it when you give them your address. This is silly! What if it was named "Harlequin Place"? They dont have anything against Indian people, they just want a different name for their street. How did India's money go into it? That guy doesnt actually live on the street does he? He got paid for whatever work he did, sooo?

15th August 2009, 12:13 AM	#3
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,649	Re: Request for renaming street here seen as racist! He was the main investor in the oaks hence he named it after home, hes made a song saying how much he loves australia, just in case they try to boot him out i guess. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

15th August 2009, 12:35 AM	#4
Therrin Former Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 2,512	Re: Request for renaming street here seen as racist! ahh, well. I live on "Crystal Lake Dr"... doesnt that sounds so nice? and pleasant? You could almost get a hammock and swing the day away with a glass of lemonade just thinking about that. Mmmmm Crystal Lake Drive... "punjab place" just doesnt have the same ring to it. "india lane" would have sounded better.

29th January 2012, 08:30 AM	#5
Paul Toivonen Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: AUS Posts: 139	Re: Request for renaming street here seen as racist! It would be ironic if every second house in Punjab place was occupied by indians. But it is true you dont see too many place names in other languages. The planners could have a bit more imagination or learn how to use a dictionary.

29th January 2012, 12:06 PM	#6
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,154	Re: Request for renaming street here seen as racist! Well if they change that name then obviously they have to change all the other names that refer to races, just like they did with blackboards in schools. There's a street in Mill Park call Blackman Ave, rename that one too?

29th January 2012, 12:15 PM	#7
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,031	Re: Request for renaming street here seen as racist! They have already tried to change my hometown name..."Blacktown" they dont know it's already been changed form Blackstown to Blacktown...pack of whingers ironically it's not local aborigines that tried to do this but the local Sudanese. I would say as a guess the very thing that attracted them in the first place..go figger!!...it's just a name people...jeez. __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

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