State Government naming rules

• What is VICNAMES?

• VICNAMES is a register of official place names in Victoria. You can search the register here.

  If you are planning on naming a site, the VICNAMES database allows you to check other names used within 6km of the proposed site and ensure a similar name hasn’t been used already. Note, the naming rules specify 5kms, but using 6kms allows for any duplication to be recognised, checked and cleared if needed before the proposal is advertised.

• Where can I access the full version of the naming rules?

• The full version of the naming rules can be access here.

• Do the naming rules apply to private roads and features?

• Private roads and features (such as some cultural centres, sporting centres, education facilities or aged care facilities) are owned by private owners (rather than government department or agencies).

  The naming rules do apply to private roads and features, as this will provide unique sub-addresses within large or complex sites. This will improve the property addressing system and provide better responses by the emergency and postal services. It also makes it easier for residents, businesses, and users of the private roads to get deliveries for example.

  The names of these privately owned roads and features are recorded in Vicmap (the State Government’s authoritative spatial database) to ensure the Register of Geographic Names - VICNAMES (the State’s authoritative place names register) accurately reflects the status of named roads and features in Victoria.

Naming proposals

• Can we name after famous people who have just passed away?

• The naming rules say Commemorative names of a deceased person should be applied no less than five years posthumously. An exemption can be applied for, but Council's preference is to allow the family time to process their loss and decide if this is how they would like their family member honoured, as they must consent to any naming proposal.

  The naming rules don’t allow naming of people who are still alive, this must be avoided because community attitudes and opinions can change over time.

  Section 2 of the naming rules Principal I - Using commemorative names provides more detail.

• Who is responsible for naming in new residential and commercial subdivisions?

• Road naming proposals within plans of subdivision are usually the developer’s role. Land surveyors often help to choose names and add them to the plans of subdivision. Any proposed road names must comply with the naming rules and can be audited by the Registrar once the subdivision is registered.

  Subdivision plans need to be approved by the responsible road naming authority (i.e. City of Melbourne in the case of land within our municipality). Any name must be approved prior to the Certification of the Plan of Subdivision as they are required to be shown on this plan.

• Which road types can be named under the process described on this page?

• Appendix A of the naming rules provides a list of accepted road types for registration. The list provides guidance on when a road type should be used. It also includes a description of the road type, and this should be chosen so it matches the geography abutting the street.

• How do I propose/suggest a new name?

• If you have a naming rules compliant name that you would like to submit Council, you can submit a suggested name via Participate Melbourne.

  Any proposals should include:

  • the proposed name
  • the location of the road or feature, including a map
  • background information on why the naming authority should consider naming the road
  • why the proposed name is considered appropriate – including an assessment of the proposed name against the principles of the naming rules
  • the reason for the proposal
  • contact details of the proposer(s) and information on public consultation that has occurred and/or support and non-support that has been gathered from community members or groups
  • Section 6 of the naming rules provides more detail on initiating a proposal.
• How much does it cost to suggest a new name?

• There is no application fee when you suggest a new road name. However, if the name progresses to community consultation, applicants must pay the fee to place the Public Notice in The Age (if required) and mailout to affected properties. Each naming request will vary in cost as a result of the extent of consultation required including the number of properties that abut the new place or road that need to be notified.

  Some groups also charge to research and provide a road name, if this is the case those fees are to be paid by the applicant.

• Can we temporarily change a road name?

• Temporarily changing a road name is not supported by Council as the temporary name will not be displayed on any published maps, the covering of an existing name for the road does not respect the history and use of the current. Most importantly, the name the Emergency Services providers would not know where to go as they will not update their systems with a temporary name.

• Who can request a name?

• Participation in road and place naming is encouraged by proposing a compliant name, initiating a proposal or responding to a relevant naming authority regarding a naming proposal.

• Can we rename our road?

• Changing the name of an existing road or the road type can be problematic as this would result in changing a “historic” and recognised road name. Existing road names are intended to last the life of the road, it has a historical link to the area, and abutting businesses may be using the name for addressing.

  Re-naming roads is not usually supported by Council, because it would impact directly, and indirectly, on a number of persons, businesses and authorities as well as the broader community.

  A proposal will only be considered when the long-term benefits to the community can be shown to outweigh any short-term effects. Therefore, this will only be done in very extraordinary circumstances.

Public consultation

• What sort of consultation is conducted for proposed new names?

• The type and level of consultation depends on the naming proposal and may be different for each proposal. Consultation will only happen once Council has determined the proposed name conforms to the naming rules.

  Generally, Council must consult for a minimum of 30 days with the immediate community, ratepayers, residents and owners who live and work within the area directly affected by the naming proposal.  This will be extended to the wider community, such as visitors to the area, local historical societies, residents' groups, etc.

  Council sends letters to all the owners and occupiers of any property directly affected by the name change, and those whose property directly accesses the road.  If Council needs to amend street numbers as part of the new road names these owners and occupiers will be notified of this as well.  

  Council will provide a map showing the location of the road to be named, the proposed name, why it was chosen, and details on how to provide feedback.

  Section 7 of the naming rules provides more detail on the consultation process.

• How can I participate in the consultation process?

• The consultation process enables members of the community to comment on, object or support a naming proposal.  Anyone can lodge a submission during the public consultation.

  Feedback on proposed names can be provided:

  • Via online submission forms that will be provided on this Participate Melbourne page when a proposed name is open for community consultation
  • By e-mail to survey@melbourne.vic.gov.au

  Council will assess all submissions against the Naming Rules and any objections must be addressed by Council.  If it can be shown that the proposal does not conform to the Naming Rules, Council must alter or abandon the proposal.

• What is a valid submission?

• A submission must explain why a proposal is opposed/supported. Submissions that oppose the proposal must also include how the proposed name does not meet the State Government naming rules.
  

  Council must also respond to everyone who makes a submission. Therefore, all submissions must include a name and contact details. 
  

  If you have objected, Council’s response will also include how the objection has been considered or taken into account. This response from Council could be an explanation of why the naming proposal is still going ahead, or if it will be abandoned.

Steps after community consultation

• What happens after the consultation period?

• After the consultation period, Council will prepare a report which details the proposed naming, the history, how the name complies with the Naming Rules and a discussion on the number and types of submissions, objections and comments received.

  Council’s decision to accept or reject the proposal will formally be recorded in that report and Councillors will be notified. This may include being considered at the Future Melbourne Committee.

  Once this process has been completed and Councillors have had a chance to comment. Council will inform the submitters of its decision, and the proposal will be sent to the Registrar for consideration and inclusion in VICNAMES. 

  If Council has objections, any objectors then have the chance to appeal to the Registrar. An appeal can only be made if the objector can demonstrate that either the naming authority did not consider the objections during its deliberations, or the proposal does not reasonably conform to the naming rules.  

  Section 12 of the Naming Rules has more information on Appeals to the Registrar of Geographic names.

• What happens after Council lodges the newly proposed name with Geographic Names Victoria?

• The Registrar will consider the proposal and finalise its compliance with the Naming Rules.

  Once the new name has passed and other objections to the Registrar have been finalised the name will be formally gazetted and registered in VICNAMES.

• What does ‘formally gazetting’ new name mean?

• Once the new name has passed and all objections to the Registrar have been finalised, the Registrar of Geographic Names formally gazettes the new name. Gazetting refers to the official publication of the name in the Victorian Government Gazette.

• How is signage for new names organised?

• Once a new name has been formally gazetted and registered in VICNAMES, Council’s City Infrastructure and Assets Team will be notified and signs will be made and placed on the newly named road.  

Finding more information

• Where can I find existing road name origins?

• If known, the origin of a street name is available on Council’s interactive maps, located here. If you search or click on a road within the map, a pop up will appear with a short origin of a street name if known.

• What are lanes identified by the letters CL and a number (e.g. CL1507) referring to?

• Council constructed hundreds of laneways in the mid to late 1800’s. The constructions were paid for by the owners of the abutting properties at the time of the works. Council has subsequently cared for and managed those laneways and these lanes are typically called “corporation lanes”. The number refers to the invoice number used during lane construction. The practice of referring to these lanes with the letters CL (for Corporation Lane) and the original invoice number was adopted as a way of ‘naming’ the lanes and distinguishing between the lanes internally.

  Because Council is maintaining the lanes, the lanes were included on Council’s Public Roads Register under the Road Management Act 2004. The agreement at the time was, the abutting neighbours paid to construct the lanes and the general public and the owners and occupiers of abutting properties benefit from Council’s cleansing, maintenance, parking control, re-constructions etc. in those lanes in future.

  These lanes are usually shown as ‘ROAD’ on title, but not necessarily owned by Council.

• What are lanes identified by the letters PL and a number (e.g. PL5001) referring to?

• There are hundreds of laneways within the City of Melbourne that were not constructed by Council. These laneways typically remain in the ownership of the original subdividers in the 1800’s when they were set out for night-soil removal.

  Council decided to adopt a ‘naming’ convention for these lanes to make it easier to refer to them internally, so they called them PL (for Private Lane) and started the numbering at 5000. Council does not exercise care and management functions over these “private lanes”. However, Council can name these Private Lanes when needed to provide addressing to abutting residents.

• Where can I find historical Road Names or Street Numbers?

• Council does not retain historical records of road names or street numbers. Old Council plans are available at the State Library of Victoria and/or the Public Records Office of Victoria.

  The State Library has copies of the older plans that Council previously held and original copies from Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) and other departments. The plans have been scanned and are available online, through the library website (the MMBW started producing the maps in 1895).

  Other resources that may assist if you are seeking information about what street numbers may have been used, try searching:

  • The Sands and McDougall directories;
  • The Mahlstedt & Ghee Standard Plans (also known just as Mahlstedt Plans); and
  • The State Library (most are available online).

  Sands and McDougall started publishing the first Melbourne Directory in the 1860’s. You can access it online here. The directory has three main sections:

  1. An alphabetical listing of surnames;
  1. A house by house, street by street listing within each suburb; and
  1. A trades and professions alphabetical listing.

  The Mahlstedt Plans are the old Fire insurance plans for insurance companies to work out the fire risk. They are literally large books with the information first drawn in there, and then someone from the company would come along and update it with little stickers as changes happened. The State Library copies are accessible online here.