Three Lake Macquarie councillors have lodged a rescission motion against the renaming of Coon Island, saying it goes against the wishes of the majority.
Lake Macquarie Independents councillors Colin Grigg and John Gilbert and Liberal councillor Jason Pauling signed the rescission motion for the next ordinary meeting, with a new motion asking council to "stand with the majority of residents in Lake Macquarie who voted overwhelmingly in Council's much anticipated survey to maintain the names, Coon Island and Coon Island Point as the preferred choice".
It comes after councillors voted to submit a proposal to the Geographical Names Board to change Coon Island to Pirrita Island and Coon Island Point to Miners Point, which had been recommended by staff.
Cr Grigg said it was the majority of councillors going against survey results which showed 56 per cent didn't want a new name that had spurred the action.
"Not everyone voted of course," he said. "If it had of been a majority of people who wanted a change I would have supported that."
The name has come under fire as being offensive. It is said to be coined after former island resident Herbert Heaney for either coming home from the mines with soot on his face or being very tanned.
Bahtabah Aboriginal Land Council CEO Kentan Proctor said the issue was hurtful and the term "derogatory".
Cr Grigg said this wasn't about discrimination, but rather representing the wishes of the majority of constituents.
"I've got nothing against Aboriginal people," he said.
