Premier not backing down on light rail naming fiasco
Premier Gladys Berejikilian is not backing down over the naming of a new light rail stop.
She tells Ray Hadley the NSW Government holds the power to choose the name of a light rail stop in Randwick which has been swept up in controversy.
“I have the power to say, ‘Royal Randwick’ it is what we propose, and ‘Royal Randwick’ it is.
“And that’s exactly what’ll happen,” she says.
Chair of the NSW Geographical Naming Board Narelle Underwood told Chris Smith yesterday they are pushing to name the stop ‘Centennial Park’ due to a clause in policy which states a geographical feature can’t have a commercial or business name.
The Premier says they “can refuse to accept their recommendation”.
She puts it down to “common sense”.
“What really motivates me Ray, is common sense.
“People also appreciate that a lot of tourists and a lot of people coming to events will be using that and we’re looking forward to having people know exactly where Royal Randwick is.”
Listen to the full interview below
Ray also speaks with NSW Racing CEO Peter V’landys who says, “it’s actually the worst stop for Centennial Park”.
Yesterday, Ms Underwood told Chris NSW Government can’t use the word ‘royal’ without permission from the Royal Family.
“We’ve got a letter here from the Queen’s office, dated 1992, to allow permission to use the name royal, which is synonymous with Randwick.
“So they’re completely wrong on that regard.”