A suburb is born- At the launch of Casey’s new suburb Botanic Ridge are, from left, Leedervill

By Bridget Brady
ABOUT 600 Casey residents now live in Melbourne’s newest suburb, Botanic Ridge, but a community group leader thinks the name change is an insult to Cranbourne residents.
Formerly part of Cranbourne South, Botanic Ridge was officially launched as a stand-alone suburb on Friday.
It encompasses the 950-lot Botanic Ridge residential estate and is generally bounded by the Royal Botanic Gardens to the north, Craig Road to the east, Pearcedale Road to the west and Browns Road to the south.
Casey mayor Geoff Ablett said he was confident the region needed its own identity in what was one of the fastest growing areas in Victoria.
“This is a fantastic new estate that offers another choice. The new suburb makes good sense,” Cr Ablett said.
“It’s the half of Casey that’s got everything … farming, residential and business.”
But Cranbourne and District Residents Association president David Banner said Botanic Ridge was an insult to long-time Cranbourne residents.
“This is another example of people trying to disassociate themselves from Cranbourne,” Mr Banner said.
“There is no need for it and I cannot understand why there is this tarnished name of Cranbourne that people feel obliged to try and change.”
But Mr Banner said the growth in Cranbourne was great news, and hoped the new suburb could continue the push for more public transport in Cranbourne.
“But I cannot comprehend the rationale behind it because personally I think there are quite a few long-time residents laughing to themselves.
“Just because it does not have the same name as Cranbourne does not mean they don’t get the same sunshine, rainfall and traffic problems.”
Botanic Ridge’s newest residents Simon and Eva Fraser moved into the Botanic Ridge estate about seven weeks ago and said it was good for the area to have its own identity.
“It’s a nice semi-rural place,” Mr Fraser said. “Cranbourne is massive. Now, when we tell people we live in Botanic Ridge they will have a better idea of where we are.”
Cr Ablett said the affected residents were informed about the new suburb.
Casey council’s manager of strategic development Liam Hodgetts said the residents in Botanic Ridge would retain their same Cranbourne South postcode.
“It provides the opportunity to raise the profile of the Royal Botanic Gardens locally and across the region. And it showcases a unique environmentally-sensitive setting close to residential developments,” Mr Hodgetts said.
Sean Delaney, who is the director Leederville, the developers of Botanic Ridge Estate, said the creation of the new suburb was an enormous achievement for those who worked hard on the development.
“Special thanks must go to the City of Casey councillors and officers who have supported this exciting project. I think the new suburb title will provide an enhanced sense of identity for the growing community here,” Mr Delaney said.
The council formally adopted the name Botanic Ridge in February.
The idea to create the new suburb was suggested in the council’s C21 Strategy in 2002.