Names based on locality and Aboriginal significance will have priority under a revamped policy for naming parks and reserves in Sutherland Shire.
Sutherland Shire Council has simplified the naming process for public open space and council facilities, and aligned it to the policy of the Geographical Names Board, which was updated last year.
The board has statutory responsibility for naming geographic areas, with input from the council and community.
The board has no role in the naming of council facilities.
The council decided in December last year to review its policy after controversy over the proposed naming of a Greenhills Beach reserve after former federal MP Don Dobie and the renaming of a Sylvania Waters park after the suburb’s founder James Goyen.
Both proposals are still with the Geographic Names Board.
A council report said, up till now, two documents guided the naming of open space and council facilities in the shire.
They have been combined into one document, providing “a succinct framework for staff and council when considering public open space naming proposals”.
Principles set out in the new policy include:
- Council’s first preference is for public open space to be named after the characteristics of a locality, e g Cronulla Park.
- Names acknowledging the heritage of Sutherland Shire are encouraged, especially those that are associated with explorers, settlers, naturalists and historical events.
- The use of Aboriginal names is encouraged; priority is given to the use of Aboriginal names for any place that does not have an assigned geographical name.
- Names that recognise acts of bravery, community service and exceptional accomplishment are encouraged by commemorative names.
- The changing of long established place names is to be avoided except where necessary to avoid ambiguity or duplication.
“The principles that guide naming of public open space and public facilities are the same,” the report said.
“Although differing slightly in execution, there is significant alignment between the procedure for the adoption of a place name and a facility name.
“As such, it makes sense for council to have a single policy and procedure document that governs the administration of naming requests.
“The vast majority of requests for naming of public open space are for parks and reserves.
“Most facilities for which council may receive naming requests, such as buildings, wharves, ovals, gardens, etc. are located within parks and reserves.”
The report said the formal adoption of a place name by the Geographical Names Board was a multi-step process, taking an average of 12 months.
A central register will be created by the council to record all naming requests and their status.
“Proposals that do not meet the minimum GNB requirements will be returned to the applicant and an alternative name will be requested,” the report said.
“This will ensure effective allocation of resources, and safeguard council against progressing names that will be deferred.”
