Place naming is an integral part of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) history. Most suburbs are named after notable Australians who have contributed to the existence of Australia as a nation. Each suburb has a theme by which its streets are named. The theme may include people, places, flora, fauna, or things relevant and important to the history of Australia. Some people commemorated in street names are well known, while others made their mark as quiet achievers.

The historical research undertaken by ACT Place Names makes an important contribution to the commemoration of Australian history. This recognises our diverse and inclusive community, both locally and nationally.

Basis for public place names

The ACT was established from land ceded by New South Wales in 1911. Names already in use in 1911, mainly natural features and locality names, were retained. Although some locality names have been overtaken through urban development and have disappeared, their names have usually been retained in some form.

The City of Canberra was named by the Commonwealth Government in 1913. The name has been associated with the district since early settlement. Joshua Moore obtained a land grant in 1822 at 'Canberry' on the Limestone Plains, and the explorer and naturalist John Lhotsky in 1834 referred to the area as 'Kembery'. The Government Gazette of 20 September 1928 listed Canberra as an Aboriginal name of doubtful meaning. However, the official explanation at the naming ceremony on 12 March 1913, was that Canberra was an Aboriginal name translated in the English language to mean, 'meeting place'.

The National Memorials Committee presented a report to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia on 14 December 1927, which outlined the unique scheme by which Canberra's public places and thoroughfares were to be named:

Every name ... used commemorates a name famous in the annals of Australian exploration, navigation, pioneering, colonisation, administration, politics, science and letters. Every name on the plan approved by the Committee is believed to be thoroughly characteristic of Australia and the Australians. All have been considered from a national viewpoint rather than a parochial one. Every state has been considered in the selection of names, and Australian national sentiments have been carefully studied.'

The Public Place Names Act 1989 replaced the Commonwealth Ordinance following the establishment of self-government in 1989. The Act provides for the Minister to determine the names of divisions (suburbs) and public places that are Territory land. The Act also provides for the Minister to make guidelines about the naming of public places.

In 2022 the word 'colonisation' was omitted from the Public Place Names Act 1989 and substituted with the word 'reconciliation'.

The Public Place Names (Naming of Public Places) Guidelines 2021, which are notified on the ACT Legislation Register, detail the established policies for naming new roads and other public places in the ACT.

The criterion for selecting names remained the same as for the Commonwealth Ordinance. When determining a division name, the Minister 'shall have regard to the names of persons who have made notable contributions to the existence of Australia as a nation' and when determining a public place name the Minister 'shall have regard to:

  • the names of persons famous in Australian exploration, navigation, pioneering, reconciliation, administration, politics, education, science or letters
  • the names of persons who have made notable contributions to the existence of Australia as a nation
  • the names of Australian flora
  • the names of things characteristic of Australia or Australians and
  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander vocabulary.'

General practice for naming

Where a name commemorates a person, at least 12 months should elapse after their death before the person's name can be determined as a place name. Duplication of names is avoided. Names that would lead to confusion or difficulty of any kind are avoided. Names that are likely to offend are avoided. Generally, an arterial road is assigned a more significant name. Street names are selected according to the theme assigned to the suburb where they are located (for example, the streets in Mawson are named after Antarctic exploration).

District, division and street names

The ACT is divided into 19 districts, including Gungahlin, Tuggeranong, Woden Valley, and Tennent. The names of districts are determined under the Districts Act 2002.

Districts are further divided into divisions (suburbs). The Division names are determined by the provisions in the Public Place Names Act 1989. The streets within the division are named in accordance with the street nomenclature theme assigned to the division and the provisions of the Public Place Names Act 1989.

Division names, and the themes to be used for roads within each division, are recommended to the Minister by the ACT Place Names Advisory Committee. Approved division and public place names are determined in an instrument notified on the ACT Legislation Register and tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Place name determinations are disallowable instruments, meaning they are tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly for six sitting days, during which time they may be subject to a motion to disallow or amend the naming determination.