The Save Point Lowly group said the map had been signed by more than 200 locals, who had expressed their determination to keep the name Point Lowly featured prominently in any changes to suburb localities.

"They wanted community consultation and you can't get more emphatic than this petition," Mr Cheesman said.

Save Point Lowly chairman Andrew Meville-Smith said the residents will not tolerate any of the area being named Port Bonython.

"Our maritime history is precious so we will oppose any attempt to replace the name given to the area by explorer Matthew Finders," he said.

"The land mass between the two bays, False bay and Fitzgerald Bay, is a peninsula and not a Port," he said.

The petition was in the form of a giant map of the Point Lowly Peninsula which was about the size of a large house wall.

"In 1992, in the depths of night, the State Government allocated the name 'Port Bonython' to a large suburb locality in this area," Mr Cheesman said.

The group said the council's records show no community information sessions were held in regards to the name change.

The council has a large pictorial display in its foyer of the allocation of suburb names.

"It was great for the community to see what had been changed while they weren't looking and to use this opportunity to fix the mistake."

Mr Cheesman said all the residents he had spoken to refer to the area as Point Lowly, the name Matthew Flinders gave it in 1802.

The group said it was a boost for the locals in their efforts to retain the name "Point Lowly peninsula" when the council voted this month to retain the name Point Lowly for the area as a suburb and geographical locality.

The group said Geographical Names Unit's Bill Watt gratefully accepted the petition on behalf of his department and expressed delight at hearing such vocal support from local communities.