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Geographic Names Committee


The Geographic Names Committee, originally the Nomenclature Advisory Committee, was appointed as an advisory committee to the Minister for Lands in 1936. Essentially, it performs a similar role today as it did in 1936, in providing advice to the Minister on geographical name issues. The name of the Committee was changed in 1987 and the representation was revised in 1987 and 2002.

Existing legislation empowers the Geographic Names Committee, representing the Minister, to assign names to places, to investigate and determine the form, spelling, meaning, pronunciation, origin and history of any geographical name and the application of such name with regard to position, extent or otherwise.

The primary task of the Committee is to develop rules and guidelines (PDF - 428 kb) (temporarily unavailable) for approval by the Minister. Changing attitudes and perceptions and the pressures of urban growth have led to the revision and updates of guidelines since the first edition of this booklet. The guidelines on the naming of parks and reserves and roads have been significantly changed following consultation with local government.

Above all else, geographic names are essentially a local community issue. When allocating a new name or changing an existing one the Committee will ensure the local community is extensively consulted to determine their view before any recommendations are made.

The Secretary of the Committee represents the State on a national consultative committee that meets annually to address issues of common interest to all states and territories and some guidelines adopted now reflect a national approach.

The Geographic Names Committee is served by a Secretariat provided by the Information Services Division of Landgate. The Secretariat serves the needs of the real estate, local government and mapping industries for names and maintains a computer database GEONOMA that holds essential information on all named roads and places in the State.

Responsibility for the naming of roads, features, townsites and places in Western Australia resides with the Minister for Land Information. The Geographic Names Committee was established by the Minister and represents many different points of view, from local communities to professional institutions and government agencies within Western Australia. It provides an inexpensive mechanism to make democratic naming decisions for the State Government and at present, is comprised of representatives of the following organisations:-

Department of Indigenous Affairs
State Records Office
Main Roads Western Australia
Western Australian Local Government Association (2 representatives)
Australia Post
Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA Division) Inc.
Department of Industry and Resources
Fire and Emergency Services Authority
Landgate - Chairman

TERMS OF REFERENCE
To provide the Minister for Land Information with:
• advice on geographical nomenclature matters;
• guidelines (PDF - 428 kb) (temporarily unavailable) to facilitate the approval and processing of nomenclature applications.



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Western Australian Land Information Authority