By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A 21-hectare wooded oasis in Dandenong South’s industrial estate is set to be named after the precinct’s developer.
Despite several community objections, the Frank Pellicano Reserve will be the new name for National Reserve at 43-67 National Drive.
It was endorsed by Greater Dandenong councillors at a meeting on Monday 25 March.
The land was donated by the Pellicano family to Greater Dandenong Council during the establishment of the neighbouring M1 and M2 industrial parks and Remington Estate.
The reserve includes the most significant and extensive stand of river red gums in the region as well as endangered animals and rare vegetation, according to a council report.
The name change was requested by family members in memory of the late grandfather, who died from brain cancer in 2015.
“Frank Pellicano was a well-respected person and businessman throughout Dandenong,” a council report stated.
“In the area in which he was most active, he has left the legacy of how business development and a respect for nature and the environment can work together for future generations to both enjoy and benefit from economically.”
Councillor Tim Dark said the land was developed largely because of the Pellicano family’s vision.
The industrial area, once 160 hectares of “swampland and cow paddocks”, was the source of more than $3 million in council rates.
Cr Memeti said the Pellicano business started as humble tradies. Over decades, it continued to invest in Greater Dandenong projects such as Quest Apartments.
“It’s just right to name this land after Frank Pellicano who has done so much as a migrant coming to this country.”
Objectors each had a “similar theme”, suggesting the reserve was better named after conservation volunteers such as Ian Kitchen and the late Stuart Marriner.
“We should not go down the path of naming public assets after people with enough money to pay for their naming rights,” an objector stated.
Dissenting councillor Matthew Kirwan said the reserve’s name should “first and foremost recognise those that contribute to the community the most”.
“It sets a bad precedent for further renamings and … is a demonstration of Council being out of touch with community sentiment.”
Cr Dark noted the similarity of the objections. Some of the objectors were linked to Cr Kirwan, including a Green state election candidate, he said.
Cr Kirwan later described the observation as a “cheap shot”.
“Being a Greens candidate, an ALP candidate, a Liberal Candidate doesn’t make one any less legitimately a member of the community who can have a view on Council issues.”
