Wagga Wagga City Council is seeking submissions from the public for a new name for Michael Slater Oval, after councillors voted to strip the park of the name of the disgraced former Australian cricketer, who is currently facing a raft of domestic violence-related charges.
Council’s Manager City Growth & Regional Assets, Ben Creighton said the community can now submit their ideas for a new name for the oval through the Have Your Say Wagga Wagga website. Submissions will be open for 28 days from 7 June to 4 July.
“We’re encouraging residents and stakeholders to put forward their suggestions for a new name for the oval in keeping with our Parks Naming Policy,” Mr Creighton said.
“This policy gives detailed guidelines on the appropriate naming of open spaces in our local government area.
“It will also help Council decide if a name is suitable if it is supported with documentation such as a newspaper article or government report.
“Once submissions have closed, the list of names will be compiled and then discussed by Council before it considers a final report recommending which name to adopt.”
The park was named in honour of the former Test batter back in 2014. Fellow cricketers, Mark Taylor and Geoff Lawson also have ovals named after them in Wagga Wagga.
On 16 April, Slater was refused bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on multiple charges, including stalking, enter dwelling with intent by break at night, choking, assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and breach of bail. He has denied all allegations of violence against the complainant.
The matter was adjourned to June 28 for a further committal mention.
