Naming places in Queensland

The Department of Resources follows this process for adding, changing or removing a name of a natural feature, town, city or addressable locality (suburb). Other naming authorities will have their own processes for naming a place.

1. Place naming issues for geographical features and locality decisions

The following issues must be considered when approving a new place name or changing or removing a name  
(under the Place Names Act 1994):

• Aboriginal tradition and island customs
• the appropriateness of a place having more than one name
• government initiatives or policies relating to place names
• the cultural and historical significance of places and names
• community views
• the appropriateness of a name for a place, including:
  • the location, population, size and topography of the place
  • the use of a name
  • the length of time or extent of use of a name
  • the avoidance of confusion about the names or location of places
  • guidelines and conventions set by intergovernmental or international committees having functions about the naming of places.
• socio-economic effects
• requirements to comply with other Acts (e.g. the Human Rights Act 2019 and the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991).

2. Dual naming

Dual naming enables a place to represent both traditional and post-colonial histories by having 2 names of differing origin. One or both names may be used. If both names are used, they are separated by a forward slash (solidus) preceded and followed by a space.

Dual names are suitable for public place names as long as they do not adversely impact:

• people's safety
• national addressing systems
• other national or state naming processes
• cultural and intellectual property rights.

3. Recognition of other processes

The outcomes of naming places by other naming authorities can be used in place naming proposals for approval.  This reduces the need to perform duplicate processes. It also recognises the work of other organisations.

4. Continuation of an existing name

A name that was changed or removed can be used for up to 5 years (with a possible extension) to aid a smooth transition to the new name. This applies where an abrupt change may impact many people and businesses. For example, the renaming of a town or a well-known area.

The continuation of an existing name allows for use in commerce without being penalised under the Place Names Act.

5. Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples in place naming

The inclusion of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples recognises traditional languages by reinstating traditional place names or removing insensitive place names. It acknowledges the role of past acts of dispossession and discriminatory legislation that have had a lasting impact on Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people—trauma, cultural and educational loss and economic disadvantages.

It does this by:

• ensuring that any proposed names are not offensive or harmful to Traditional Owners and Custodians of the place in which the name is proposed
• providing an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ to suggest an Indigenous name for an unnamed place
• using dual naming to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages where appropriate
• embedding timely engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into place naming policies and procedures on geographical features and to notify if naming an administrative area
• acknowledging the time and cost burden to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and organisations in their involvement in place naming processes.

6. Adding and amending names in the Queensland Gazetteer

The Queensland Gazetteer is the official repository for approved place names and their geographical locations.

Information in the Gazetteer must be:

• approved under the Place Names Act
• for places named under other legislation – the place name must be approved through another approval process and confirmation obtained from the approving agency on the validity of the name being entered. The name will need to align with the Place Names Act requirements or the National Principles for the Consistent use of Place Names (PDF, 488 KB).
• consistent with the Queensland Gazetteer data transfer specification 1.0.