Community concern is growing over a decision by an inner west Sydney council to black out sections of its entry signs which pay tribute to the area's traditional owners.
Strathfield Council recently completed installation of six sandstone signs at prominent intersections at a total cost of $400,000, with the work conducted over the past two financial years.
The signs paid tribute to the area's First Nations community with the phrase "Always was, always will be Wangal Country".
The council commissioned a report in August into alternative signage options, with designs and estimated costings to be presented in the first quarter of 2027.
It also resolved to cover the Indigenous statements on all six signs if they could not be immediately removed.
If approved, replacement signs would be funded and completed within the 2027-28 financial year.
Some of the signs have since been uncovered by other parties, with a council spokesperson saying staff are "attending to replacing the covering as required by the council resolution."
'Political language'
The motion was moved by Councillor John-Paul Baladi, who described the signage as "subpar".
"I think they have political language on them," he said.
"I think they reflect poorly, to be honest, on Strathfield Council, so I think we should plan for something bigger, bolder and better."
In a statement posted to his social media, Cr Baladi said "many residents" had complained about the "overpriced and divisive" signs.
"Strathfield Council is among one of the most multicultural LGAs in our city, and we believe that all cultures that call Strathfield home should be celebrated," the statement read.
"Council is exploring how new gateway entrance signs and landscaping will be greener, prettier, and welcoming to all people, and will make a decision once costs are known."
Councillor Sandy Reddy spoke to Cr Baladi's motion, describing the signs as "incredibly small and non-impactful".
"We've spent a lot of money, but not in a right way," she said at the August meeting.
Mayor Benjamin Cai said work on the new signs had "just finished" and said the council "should be careful" about how it spent its funds.
"If something's wrong, we can try to fix it but frankly, we should wait until feedback … from the community," he said.
The meeting heard the $400,000 price tag for the existing signs included installation, landscaping and lighting costs.
None voted against the motion at the meeting.
'It's disappointing'
Councillor Rory Nosworthy, who could not attend the meeting, has since petitioned against the decision, with his online campaign gathering more than 300 signatures.
"There wasn't really any opposition in the meeting, so this is a way of showing that opposition and perhaps reverse the decision," he said.
"It sends the message that perhaps we're not as welcoming and progressive as residents thought we were.
A council spokesperson said no complaints about the original signage had been received, and the council was not aware of any consultation with the Indigenous community about the decision to cover the signs.
The spokesperson said the council was aware of the community petition.
Spotlight on foreign language signs
Meanwhile in July, the council renewed a push for local businesses to display English translations of foreign language signs.
In her motion, Councillor Esther Kim said the policy, which has been in place since 2018, "does not seek to discourage the use of community languages".
"Rather, it supports a balanced approach whereby English is displayed as the primary language, while additional languages are welcomed to reflect Australia's multicultural society," she stated in the motion.
Cr Baladi told the council last month the motion had been "heavily misconstrued by the media" as a ban on foreign languages on local signs.
According to the 2021 census, about 64 per cent of Strathfield residents were not born in Australia, with India, China, Nepal, South Korea and Sri Lanka among the most common recorded places of birth.
More than 72 per cent of households spoke a language other than English, according to the data.
