By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
A NEW Springvale road will pay tribute to a town visionary.
Lindsay Williams Crossing is the name for the link connecting Lightwood Road and Sandown Road, just east of Warwick Avenue, which was created during the Springvale level crossing removal project.
Last week Greater Dandenong Council endorsed the name after consultation with nearby land owners and tenants.
Springvale stalwart Merle Mitchell put forward the name of the first Shire of Springvale town clerk – equivalent to today’s CEO position.
“With the demolition of the HL Williams Court, Lindsay no longer has the public recognition to which he is very much entitled,” she said.
“Everyone thought because we were ‘the poor end of town’ he would not make a success of it.
“But he did in the most extraordinary way.”
Ms Mitchell said Mr Williams focused on physical infrastructure including roads, footpaths and sewerage.
“Large amounts of money were borrowed to achieve all this but it was money well spent.
“At the same time, Springvale was the only municipality to recognise the importance of pre-school education and as new areas opened up a kindergarten was built – at no cost to the parents.
“In Dandenong, on the other hand, parents had to raise the money for the building and equipment and, in many cases, the children of those working to raise it were at school before the kindergarten was built.”
Mayor Sean O’Reilly said Mr Williams had a significant role in Springvale’s early planning and oversaw a strong, transparent financial regime at the council.
Councillor Roz Blades said it was fitting that Mr Williams’s name would “continue to live” in Springvale.
He had a “huge persona” and universal respect, she said.
The council will formally apply to the Office of Geographic Place Names for the name to be registered, which requires a further 30-day advertising period and public gazettal.
– with Casey Neill
