Shellharbour City Council will write to NSW Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian expressing disappointment over the lack of consultation on the renaming of the $39 million Flinders railway station to Shell Cove.
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Shellharbour City Mayor Marianne Saliba said while she had no view on what the station should be called, it was appropriate that the council and community be consulted before an announcement was made.
"Up until last Thursday, it was known as the proposed Flinders station. Then, on Thursday, I read in the paper that there were moves to change it to Shell Cove," Cr Saliba said.
"I am concerned with the problems it will create ... we already have problems with Shellharbour City and Shellharbour Village.
"Having a Shell Cove, then a Shell Cove railway station somewhere else is going to create other difficulties."
However, Cr Kellie Marsh backed the name change.
"Being a Sydney girl and jumping on the trains as a child, and going to fun destinations, I couldn't see [the names] Dunmore or Flinders would be making me want to jump off a train and spend my money," she said. "Shell Cove certainly has a ring to it and, considering the money we are putting into the Shell Cove precinct, it seems quite logical."
Cr Peter Moran said: "If the only thing we have to whinge about the state government is the naming of a new station, we really don't have much to whinge about."
However, Cr Helen Stewart pointed out when they tried to change the name of the Oak Flats railway station to Shellharbour there was "anarchy in the streets".
"I don't have a view but I do take issue with the state government, no matter who they are, bypassing the council," Cr Stewart said.
"At the end of the day it was remiss of the state government not to at least have some common courtesy and notify the council, it is total disrespect for the council and the community."
Deputy Mayor Paul Rankin said the preferred name for most people he had spoken to was Flinders.
"It is actually geographically closer to Flinders than Shell Cove ... I am happy for a letter to be sent asking them to please explain," Cr Rankin said.
Last week Kiama MP Gareth Ward said the name change followed "a strong community campaign" and evidence it would help support local tourism.
The station, which will be about 400 metres north of Shellharbour Anglican College, will replace the Dunmore railway station.
