Hottentot Crescent to be renamed
Changing the name of a local street because it is derived from a racist slur might seem a simple decision at first glance.
But the reality has proven quite different for those living in and around Hottentot Crescent in Mullumbimby’s Tallowood housing estate.
Last week, councillors voted to commence name change process for the street, but not before it generated considerable debate among those living in and around it.
The street was given its name because of the hottentot figs that were planted there in 1993.
But the word ‘hottentot’ itself is a racial slur that has been directed toward members of the Khoisan tribe in South Africa for hundreds of years.
Earlier this year, Byron Council was approached by a local resident who argued that the crescent should be renamed.
In response to the approach, Council sent letters to the 23 houses on the street asking for their views.
It received a wide range of responses, from those who felt the strongly that name should be changed, through to those who strongly believed it has become part of the local identity that has nothing to do with its racist derivation.
Unaware of meaning
Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services Phillip Holloway said in a written report to last week’s Council meeting there would be many unaware of the name containing any other meaning, beyond naming the relevant tree.
‘Against this, the resident opposing the name argues that the tree name itself is racially loaded (whether this is broadly understood or not)…’
Mr Holloway noted that the proposed name change would come at a cost to the residents of the street in terms of administration and inconvenience.
There was also a regulatory cost to Council in following the proper process to change the street name.
‘These costs should be balanced against the hurt caused to people impacted by racially loaded language; even in an instance like this where the difficulties associated with the name have their origin some way from 2023 Mullumbimby…
‘Equally, it is acknowledged that in a culture where much communication happens online, there is arguably a higher risk of someone discovering the street name’s existence and feeling the weight of its alternative meaning than in years gone by.
‘The potential audience for the harm is located both within and beyond the Byron Shire.’
Mr Holloway said it was a decision ‘on which reasonable minds can differ’ but that his report erred on the side of replacing the name.
Councillors voted to adopt Mr Holloway’s recommendation without discussion or debate.
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