Council's process is to propose and prepare names in accordance with Council's Road Naming Policy (no. 283) and the NSW Address Policy and User Manual (May 2021) developed by NSW Geographical Names Board (GNB).
The NSW Geographical Names Board policy ensures that road, street, lane and open space names are broadly acceptable to the community and meet current norms and standards.
The NSW Geographical Names Board encourages place names that reflect the heritage, cultures and identity of a site which makes the place distinctive and memorable for residents and the wider community. As per the NSW Geographical Names Board process, research has been undertaken to identify significant stories and histories of the area.
The options for stage one consultation were prepared by Council staff based on research into the historic significance and context of the site. Specifically, staff focused on names which sought to represent the history of the Parramatta Market Place in this location. The laneway and Town Hall are located on the exact site of the first fair (market) in Australia, which was held on 11 March 1813. The site continued to be used as a market place between 1813 and 1878, until the Town Hall was constructed and declared open in 1881. There is a plaque on the Town Hall which commemorates this. This history has state and potentially national significance as it is also the exact location of the livestock market, which was vital to the survival and self-sufficiency of the colony in the 1800s. The theme is also consistent with the current active use of Centenary Square as a market place.
Early in 2024, Council will work with local Dharug organisations to develop suitable First Nations options. During stage two consultation, you will be able to provide feedback on these options in addition to other options that proved popular during stage one consultation.
Council is committed to increasing First Nations recognition throughout Parramatta and recently endorsed the use of Duba Lane and Wali Lane in North Parramatta for two unnamed laneways which have now been approved by the NSW Geographical Names Board.
The NSW Geographical Names Board has a number of criteria and rules in place, which make it difficult for some name submissions to be effective. For example, name suggestions must be as site specific and contextually accurate as possible, not have duplicates within a 10km radius, not reference a living person and must also meet emergency services, postal and navigation requirements. However, members of the community are encouraged to propose alternate names in the online submission form. Should any of these names prove suitable and meet the GNB criteria, they will be considered for inclusion during stage two consultation.
To assess the eligibility of a possible suggestion, please click here.
The Geographical Names Board of NSW ‘NSW Address Policy and User Manual’ (May 2021) outlines the guidelines for naming roads. The guidelines can be accessed at www.gnb.nsw.gov.au. In summary, proposed names should comply with the following principles:
- Road names shall not be offensive, racist, derogatory or demeaning (refer to NSW Anti-Discrimination legislation).
- Road names shall not be misspelt. In particular, the spelling of personal names shall be able to be validated by reference to primary sources.
- Commercial and business names shall not be used, particularly where the name can be construed to be promoting the business. However, business names no longer in use and which promote the heritage of an area are acceptable.
- Road types shall not be used in the formation of a road name, for example Promenade Road, Court Street etc. even if the road type is also a surname.
- Only one name shall be used for commemorative naming e.g. a given name or surname.
The NSW Geographical Names Board Place Naming Policy states:
- Commemorative names are those that commemorate a person, event or place. Acts of bravery, community service and exceptional accomplishments are typical grounds for this recognition. The name of persons who gave their lives in service for their country are often used as commemorative names. The person commemorated should have contributed significantly to the area around the geographic feature or locality. When such a name is applied, it shall be given posthumously, at least one year after the decease of the person.
- Names of living persons are by their nature subject to partisan perception and changes in community judgement and acceptance. Commemorative names shall not be used to commemorate victims of, or mark the location of, accidents or tragedies.
- Ownership of land is not in itself grounds for the application of an owner’s name. Names of persons holding public office shall not be used.
- Personal names, including those of persons still living, may be used for built features e.g. pavilions and grandstands etc., however these features are not formally assigned by the GNB and are not covered by the Act.
Following stage one consultation, the names with the highest ranking will be taken forward for consideration during stage two consultation. These names, along with First Nations options and possibly other suitable names suggested during stage one will then be presented to the community for consideration.
The most popular choices following this will then be presented to Councillors for endorsement before being submitted to the GNB for final approval and gazettal.
Following stage one and two consultation, Council will review the community feedback and submit the endorsed name to the NSW Geographical Names Board for final approval and gazettal.
Following stage one and two consultation, the selected name will first need to be endorsed by Council before being sent to the GNB for approval and gazettal. After a name has been gazetted, it will be placed on relevant signs and be made available on official maps. Council expects to complete this process early in 2024. Council will also update this page once the final name has been confirmed.
