Geelong naming policy sparks debate, heads to consultation

A proposed overhaul of how places are named across Greater Geelong has divided councillors ahead of its release for community consultation.

Councillors voted on Tuesday to release the draft place naming policy to the public for four weeks, with a final version to return to the council for endorsement in the coming months.

The policy would guide the naming and renaming of roads, facilities, open spaces and other public assets, with a stronger focus on recognising Aboriginal heritage, women and culturally diverse communities.

The policy proposes a “prioritisation approach” to create a “commemorative landscape that honours our full history and ensures everyone can see themselves represented in public spaces”.

Aboriginal names sit at the top of the prioritisation list, with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) able to “choose up to six opportunities per annum to name places”.

A “rotation model” has then been proposed to determine if a female or gender-diverse person, multicultural figure, local hero such as a veteran, or name of broader community or historical significance is used.

The policy also includes a target for a least 70 per cent of new or renamed places commemorating individuals to be named after women or gender-diverse people.

Much of the debate in the council chamber on Tuesday centred on whether the policy would help to correct long-standing imbalances in who is recognised across the region or risk excluding those who deserved to be celebrated.

Cr Elise Wilkinson said the policy would redress an existing imbalance by recognising contributions that have historically been overlooked.

“It makes us look at history. It makes us research the significance that women, the Wadawurrung people, that people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have made and contributed to our community,” she said.

Others weren’t convinced.

Cr Eddy Kontelj, in his first meeting as deputy mayor, said the policy may unintentionally exclude people, including veterans, and said a naming policy should unite the community rather than create an “impression of favouritism”.

Cr Emma Sinclair pushed back, pointing to streets in Charlemont Rise where several have been named after Game of Thrones characters.

“That’s bottom of the barrel,” she said.

“We’ve got opportunities to name lots of things and to create equality through using this policy.

“And if we get it right, we cancel the policy; if we correct that imbalance, we don’t need this policy moving forwards.”

The policy will be placed on public exhibition for four weeks.