Consultation has now closed

Thank you to everyone who participated. We are now reviewing your feedback.

The names of roads, bridges, waterways, sports grounds, parks and suburbs in Darebin tell important stories about our history, people and culture. But not all Darebin’s stories are being told as they deserve to be. First Nations People, women, people with disability, the LGBTQIA+ community and culturally diverse groups are underrepresented, and we want to make this right.

We’ve updated our Place and Road Naming Policy to include new naming priorities that will better represent Darebin’s history, people and culture and tell the stories of our community now, and into the future. These naming priorities will apply to anything renamed, too. More than one naming priority may be applied when choosing a name.

You can read about the proposed naming priorities below or read the draft policy here.

What's happened so far?

From 30 January to 27 February this year, we asked the community what you think about the naming priorities. Thank you to everyone who participated. We are now reviewing this feedback and will report back to Council on 27 March 2023.

Proposed naming priorities

Below are the categories of places and roads with proposed naming priorities for each.

  • Major Roads & Bridges

    Equal priority given to:

    • Names reflecting Wurundjeri people's language, names and culture and heritage.
    • Names reflecting our migrant and culturally diverse communities and their cultural heritage.

  • Secondary & Subdivisional Roads

    Equal priority given to:

    • Names reflecting our migrant and culturally diverse communities and their cultural heritage.
    • Names associated with diversity, equity, people with disability, the LGBTQIA+ community, social justice or community leadership.
    • Other Priorities e.g. Flora and fauna, historical and cultural heritage.

  • ​Laneways

    Equal priority given to:

    • Names reflecting our migrant and culturally diverse communities and their cultural heritage.
    • Names associated with diversity, equity, people with disability, the LGBTQIA+ community, social justice or community leadership.

  • Buildings / Pavilions / Pedestrian Bridges

    Equal priority given to:

    • Names reflecting Wurundjeri people's language, names and culture and heritage.
    • Names reflecting our migrant and culturally diverse communities and their cultural heritage.
    • Names associated with diversity, equity, people with disability, the LGBTQIA+ community, social justice or community leadership.

Things to note:

  • When places and roads are named in respect of individuals, at least 75% will be for significant women, and consideration will be given to intersectionality with other naming priorities.
  • The names of new parks and open spaces will not be affected by this policy as Darebin’s Open Space Strategy includes established themes and quotas.