Stirling Council

The City of Stirling is a prominent local government area in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, located approximately 10 kilometres north of the city’s central business district. Covering an expansive area of 105.2 square kilometres, it is notable for being the largest local government area by population in Western Australia, with over 223,000 residents.

Established on 24 January 1871 as the Perth Road District under the District Roads Act 1871, the district originally encompassed what are now the Cities of Wanneroo, Joondalup, Bayswater, and Belmont. With the implementation of the Local Government Act 1960, which transformed road districts into shires, it became known as the Shire of Perth on 1 July 1961. By 1971, it had gained city status and was renamed Stirling, in honor of James Stirling, the first governor of Western Australia.

In May 2021, a significant motion was passed by electors calling for the City of Stirling to be renamed. This initiative stemmed from historical associations with James Stirling, particularly his involvement in the tragic Pinjarra Massacre of 1834, where a significant number of Binjareb Noongar people were killed. The motion to change the name generated national attention and sparked a heated debate within the community and council.

Proponents of the name change argued that continuing to honor James Stirling was inappropriate due to his role in the massacre and his threatening stance towards Indigenous peoples. This sentiment led to suggestions for adopting a dual name that incorporates a Noongar name, reflecting the area’s Indigenous heritage.

However, the proposal faced opposition as well, with concerns raised about the financial implications of a name change, estimated to cost millions of dollars. Critics also argued against erasing historical names and the precedent it might set. Despite the intense public discourse and the high turnout at council meetings, no motions regarding the name change were ultimately carried forward.

Subsequently, the discussion prompted Western Australian senators to call for a broader review of place names across the state associated with colonial figures linked to racist histories. This ongoing dialogue underscores the complexities and sensitivities involved in reconciling historical recognition with contemporary values and Indigenous perspectives in local governance and community identity.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Stirling