After more than six years of community debate and consultation, a popular park in Mullaloo, north Perth, has officially been renamed. The green space formerly known as Blackboy Park will now be called Koolyanga Park, following a decision by The City of Joondalup council.
A Lengthy Process Concludes
The renaming process, which began in earnest in 2019, has finally reached its conclusion this week. The council confirmed on Wednesday that the park's new name would be Koolyanga Park, marking the end of a protracted discussion about the appropriateness of the previous title.
The original name derived from the native Xanthorrhoea plants that populate the area, which were historically nicknamed 'black boys' but are now more commonly referred to as grass trees. However, in recent years, residents began voicing concerns that the name was offensive and outdated.
Community Consultation Results
Early in 2025, The City of Joondalup conducted extensive community consultation regarding the proposed name change. Of the 1,800 submissions received, 55 percent supported changing the name to Koolyanga Park. Many respondents described the old name as 'offensive, outdated, derogatory and racist', while praising the new choice as 'more respectful and welcoming'.
Interestingly, the area was initially set to be renamed Koorlangka Park, meaning 'children's park' in the local Noongar language. This proposal was ultimately blocked because it sounded too similar to a nearby street name, leading to the selection of Koolyanga Park instead, which references an adjoining street with Indigenous origins.
Financial and Temporal Costs
The renaming process has not been without its costs, both financial and temporal. The council has spent over $26,000 on the initiative since the issue was first formally presented in 2019. The timeline has also drawn criticism from some involved in the process.
Councillor Russ Fishwick, who initiated the renaming process in 2019, expressed frustration last July about how long the procedure was taking. 'When I first raised this notice of motion some six-and-a-half years ago, I didn't really believe it would take this long, and it still hasn't been resolved,' he said, comparing the timeline unfavourably to ambitious historical projects like the moon landing.
Official Statements and Public Reaction
Joondalup mayor Daniel Kingston explained the council's decision, stating that 'The former name, which features prominently on park signage, is no longer considered appropriate.' He added that 'Koolyanga Park represents a respectful and locally meaningful choice, and is a name our community can be proud of.'
While community outreach indicated that Mullaloo locals were generally happy with the decision, the broader online response to the announcement has been mixed. Some social media commentators questioned the necessity of the change, with one asking sarcastically if trees could be racist, and another suggesting absurd alternative renamings for other Perth locations.
Political commentator Madison King weighed in on the debate, noting Perth's history of unusual place names and questioning why this particular park became the focus of renaming efforts. 'At this rate we'll need a pronunciation guide, a warning label and a sensitivity panel just to go for a walk,' she remarked, highlighting the complexities of modern place naming conventions.
Looking Forward
The City of Joondalup will soon begin installing new signage bearing the park's updated name. The area, which features several play areas and tennis courts, has been a favourite spot for families in Mullaloo for several decades, and council officials hope the new name will make it more welcoming for all community members.
This renaming represents part of a broader national conversation about place names, historical references, and cultural sensitivity in Australia. As communities across the country grapple with similar issues, the six-year journey of Blackboy Park to become Koolyanga Park serves as a case study in the challenges and considerations involved in such processes.
