Geographical features in the ACT, such as mountains and rivers, can be named under the Public Place Names Act 1989.
The Public Place Names (Naming of public places) Guidelines 2021 state that:
Where no previous official name exists for a geographical feature, preference should be given to a name that:
- is the local Aboriginal name that was originally applied to identify the geographical feature, provided the wishes of the relevant Aboriginal community are respected regarding the use of the name
- is in keeping with the character and tradition of the location
- has historical or local significance or
- is suggestive of the peculiarity of the geographical feature.
Where a geographical feature has an existing introduced name, consideration shall be given to restoring traditional Aboriginal language to the feature by giving it dual names that recognise the traditional Aboriginal place name alongside the long-standing introduced name.
