The City of Fremantle is proposing a name change for Stirling Street in the suburb’s CBD.

On October 28, 2025, WA Governor Chris Dawson issued an apology for the actions of his predecessor, regarding the 1834 Pinjarra massacre.

The then-Governor of WA, Captain James Stirling led a group of armed officials to ambush a Noongar camp in Pinjarra 192 years ago, where they killed numerous Indigenous men, women and children.

Brendan Moore is the Senior Aboriginal Engagement Officer at the City of Fremantle and chairman of the Walyalup Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan.

He says Fremantle is one of two Australian councils with a mandate to deliver on truth-telling as a core pillar in their WRAP. He says they have already chosen over 20 new names across the city, as part of their plan, and they are now setting their sights on Stirling Street.

“Last October when the Governor apologised to the Pinjarra mob about the massacre, Stirling street became part of our truth-telling deliverables,” he says.

Mr Moore says long before the Governor’s statement, Aboriginal elders have mentioned finding Stirling’s name offensive.

Parliamentary leader of the Greens Dr Brad Pettitt says there is good reason to start rethinking some names in the city.

In 2021, Kings Court in Fremantle was changed to Walyulup Koort, a Whadjuk Noongar name meaning ‘Heart of Fremantle’.

Dr Pettitt says it’s about unpacking our history and telling those stories about who we are.

“It’d be fair to say that he probably has enough highways, buildings, streets and suburbs named after him,” he says.

 “If we’re serious about reconciliation, and we’re serious about healing this country and moving forward, working with local Aboriginal groups to rename places is a good way of advancing reconciliation.”

WRAP chairman Brendan Moore says the city has put together a business plan addressing the requirements needed for this name change.

“That means consultation of all stakeholders. There are people currently living on Stirling Street,” he says.

He says if a name change is to happen, there will be costs involved. He hopes the name change will be finalised by 2027 as part of WRAP’s deliverables.

Stirling Street resident Laurel says there are going to be changes.

“I think Fremantle being an international port with tourism. Having peace and harmony within the community is extremely important, particularly now,” she says.

“It’s ultimately Landgate’s decision” says Mr Moore. He says he hopes the name change will be finalised by the 2027 as part of WRAP’s deliverables.

Kelly Kent from Landgate says they have yet to receive any official notification for Stirling Street.

“Landgate has not received any formal naming proposals or list of proposed names in relation to Stirling Street in the City of Fremantle to date. Any proposal to name or rename a road must be formally submitted by the relevant local government and would then be assessed against the State naming policies and guidelines,” she says.