Ideas needed for Lethbridge road-naming

THE wider Lethbridge community is encouraged to share their feedback on a new proposed title for an old but unnamed road.

After a resident requested the stretch of road leading to their home be named, the Golden Plains Shire has consulted the Victorian Office of Geographic Names, and at their last council meeting endorsed calling it Capron Lane.

This is currently the top option in recognition of original local landowner, William Capron. A big Russells Bridge dairy farm was owned by the Caprons, and although this was never registered with the Shire, it is suspected that the unnamed road was known as Capron Lane in the past.

Cr Les Rowe has been researching the location’s history.

“The late William Capron came to the area in the late-1840s. He leased a property in the Moorabool Valley with his brother, Henry,” he said.

“During the following years, they converted the property from leasehold to freehold, and bought further property on the river. They ran a mixed farming operation, and later generations milked cows off the fertile river flats.

“The ownership of the property at Russells Bridge, where they finished up, is still held by descendants of the Capron family today. William Capron was a neighbour of my great, great grandparents, a noted breeder of Clydesdales, and in this activity, he was particularly successful.”

With a name, the road will be added to the municipality’s grading and maintenance register, and assist emergency and postal services needing to easily locate properties in the immediate area.

Public feedback will be received until Friday, 23 April at 5pm. The community is welcome to share their thoughts on the name previously raised, or volunteer their own suggestion.

Visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations. Get in touch by emailing [email protected], or mailing your thoughts to the Chief Executive Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, Victoria, 3331.

The State Government’s Naming Rules for Places in Victoria can be seen at land.vic.gov.au/place-naming. To be considered, suggestions will align with this guide.

On Tuesday, 25 May, ideas will be put before Shire councilors at the regular monthly meeting.