Consultation on the proposed naming of Council Laneway CL1163 and the adjoining unnamed walkway between CL1163 and A’Beckett Street, Melbourne as Benz Lane (the ‘Proposal’) was open from 13 March to 13 April 2025.

This name has been approved by Geographic Names Victoria and Benz Lane was published in the Victoria Government Gazette on 19 June 2025.

View more information about the proposal below.

Notice was given pursuant to the Naming Rules for places in Victoria 2022 (‘Rules’) that the Melbourne City Council (‘Council’) proposes to name Corporation Lane CL1163 and the adjoining unnamed walkway as Benz Lane (the 'Proposal').

The naming is required to provide appropriate addressing for abutting properties, ensure the integrity of Council's records and support the provision of emergency and statutory services.

The proposed name honours Hedwig Benz (1910 – 2006), who was the first full time interpreter employed in 1956 at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital – a hospital for women – in Melbourne.

Benz was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1972 in recognition of service to migrants in Victoria, for her work at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital.

She played a valuable role in removing the responsibility from English-speaking children of migrants in liaising about their mother’s illness with hospital staff.

More information:

Community consultation for the proposed naming of Benz Lane, Melbourne closed on 13 April 2025.

After considering community submissions, Council endorsed the proposal and lodged an application with Geographic Names Victoria (GNV) for their approval of the name.

GNV approved the name and Benz Lane was published in the Victoria Government Gazette on 19 June 2025. This process is known as 'gazettal' and all gazettes are available online.

Area proposed to be named Benz Lane

Map showing boundary of Council laneway in Melbourne CBD

Naming of City of Melbourne's places and roads