Proposal to divide Royal National Park into suburbs

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has proposed the suburbs be named Wattamolla, Marley, Palona, Garie, Bonnie Vale, Goarra, Jibbon, Yenabilli, Warumbul, Audley and Uloola.

The proposal also includes amending the existing suburb of Lilyvale, in the Wollongong local government area.

Chair of the Geographical Names Board Narelle Underwood said it was important suburbs and boundaries were clear and easy to understand.

"Right now, Royal National Park is both a suburb and a national park reserve and the boundaries do not match each other," Mrs Underwood said.

"The proposal from NPWS would divide the existing suburb of Royal National Park into smaller, more meaningful areas named after prominent geographical features from within the new boundaries.

"Creating these new suburbs will help to reduce confusion and narrow down locations within the larger reserve."

Mrs Underwood said the Geographical Names Board wanted to gauge community sentiment for the proposed names.

"We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposed names and boundaries to ensure they best reflect the local community," she said.

Suggestions for alternative names are not being sought at this time.

Details of the proposal including map GNB 6100-1A shows the proposed boundaries and can be viewed and submissions lodged on the Geographical Names Board's website.

Written submissions can also be mailed to the Secretary, Geographical Names Board, 346 Panorama Ave, Bathurst, NSW 2795.

The proposal does not impact the Royal National Park reserve name or boundary.

The closing date for submissions is December 17.