In late 2023, we heard from the local Fishermans Bend community and stakeholders who shared their stories and connections to Fishermans Bend and how this should be celebrated through place naming (Phase 1 Engagement). Read the community consultation summary.

The draft Fishermans Bend Place Naming Framework has been informed by the outcomes of Phase 1 Engagement, together with further research into Fishermans Bend and updates to Victorian Government and City of Melbourne naming policy and guidelines. Phase 1 engagement has informed the five naming themes, spatial maps identifying significant sites, and a framework to identify a suitable place name.

Read the draft Fishermans Bend Place Naming Framework (PDF 8.58MB) or draft Fishermans Bend Place Naming Framework- accessible version (MS Word 19.28MB).

Have your say

You can have your say on the draft Fishermans Bend Place Naming Framework by:

  • attending a pop-up information session
  • completing the online survey below
  • adding additional significant sites to the interactive map below.

Consultation closes 7 September 2025.

Naming themes, sites and application

Naming themes that celebrate Fishermans Bend's diverse character

Five naming themes have been identified that represent important aspects of Fishermans Bend’s local culture, history and future aspirations.

These have been categorised into priority municipal themes and precinct themes. The draft Fishermans Bend Place Naming Framework expands on each theme’s significance to Fishermans Bend, legislative and community engagement context, significant stories if applicable, imagery and example place names.

Naming themes will overlap as the many histories of the area are interwoven. We encourage future place names to relate to more than one naming theme as this grows the significance of a future name. For example, women who shaped the early automotive, aviation, defence and science industries of Fishermans Bend, particularly during World War II.

Priority municipal themes

These themes are prioritised in State and local place naming policy; can be applied to the entire precinct; have strong links to the local area’s character; emerged in broader community consultation.
  • Connection to country

    Celebrating the ongoing connection Bunurong Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples have maintained to Fishermans Bend for thousands of years.

  • Women who shaped Fishermans Bend

    Celebrating women who have shaped Fishermans Bend throughout history, playing critical roles in industry as well as being community advocates and local sporting legends.

Precinct themes

Phase 1 engagement and desktop research identified significant areas, historic sites and current sites that were mapped within the Enterprise and Innovation Area (EIA) and Lorimer precincts. This informed these precinct themes, which have strong links to the local area’s character.
  • Diverse community character

    Celebrating the diverse communities that have lived and worked in Fishermans Bend throughout history, such as the wharfies working the Port and those who called the Migrant Hostel home in the 1950s.

  • Industry and innovation

    Celebrating Fishermans Bend's strong industrial legacy including automotive and aviation production, science innovations and food production including the creation of vegemite!

  • Sand, water, scrub and wildlife

    Celebrating the landscape and ecological features that have shaped Fishermans Bend’s history and present day, such as the Birrarung (Yarra River) and Westgate Park.

Application of the Naming Framework to identify a future place name

The draft Fishermans Bend Place Naming Framework outlines a two-step approach to identify a name or multiple names for new roads, parks or other public places within Fishermans Bend:

  1. Name/s should reflect the local context based on the significant sites identified in precinct naming theme maps
  2. Name/s for prominent places (e.g. major roads, major parks) should align with the priority municipal naming themes.

Please refer to the draft Fishermans Bend Place Naming Framework, Part C: Application of Naming Framework for further detail and examples of applying the draft Naming Framework to identify a name.

Survey

Share feedback on the draft Fishermans Bend Place Naming Framework

Feedback map

Pin a site or story

In Phase 1 Engagement we identified significant historic and present-day sites and areas within Fishermans Bend. We would like to hear more!

Pin a story or significant site and a brief description to the map that aligns with one of the five naming themes. If your contribution relates to more than one naming theme, include this in your description.

  • Yellow pins: Connection to Country
  • Purple pins: Women who shaped Fishermans Bend
  • Orange pins: Diverse community character
  • Blue pins: Industry and innovation
  • Green pins: Sand, water, scrub and wildlife

Banner image: Modellers producing a ⅛" scale model of a proposed Holden car at the Fishermans Bend General Motors Holden engineering studio, around 1946, courtesy of the N Darwin Collection.

Place Naming in Fishermans Bend