New roads require naming early in the development process to ensure that addressing can be allocated prior to the sale of any new land parcels.
As part of the addressing process, existing access roads or unnamed road reserves may be highlighted for naming to ensure more precise addressing can be allocated to any properties' accessed via that road.
The naming process takes several months and requires consultation with the Geographical Names Board along with two advertising periods.
The Geographical Names Board Guidelines for the naming of roads identifies that the preferred sources for street names include the following:
- Aboriginal names
- Local history
- Early explorers, pioneers, settlers and other eminent persons (not living)
- War/casualty lists
- Thematic names such as flora, fauna or ships
Names cannot relate to a living person or a commercial interest. Names cannot be more than two words in length including the street type (for example, Bloggs Avenue rather than Fred Bloggs Avenue). Names containing geographical features (for example Black Springs Road) may be accepted. Names should also be reasonably easy to read, spell and pronounce, and should not duplicate a name already in use in the Council area.
Pre-approved names
On occasion Council will receive a naming submission at a time when there are no new or unnamed roads requiring naming. There are also, often worthy names submitted in the naming process that are unsuccessful on that occasion. These names can be approved by Council to be included in a list of pre-approved names for street and road naming. This list is included along with any submissions from the public when new or unnamed roads require naming.