Naming places in Queensland Guide

• Who names what places?

  While the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development names some geographical features and areas, other agencies name other places in Queensland.

  These tables show the naming authority for specific types of places in Queensland.

  Natural places

  Type of place

  Naming authority

  Anchorages, bars, bays, beaches, capes, caves, cays, channels, cliffs, craters, deserts, dunes, escarpments, fords, forests (unprotected), gorges, gulfs, harbours, hills, inlets, islands, isthmuses, lagoons, lakes, lookouts, mountains, pans, passages, passes, peaks, peninsulas, plains, plateaus, pockets, points, ranges, rapids, reaches, reefs, reservoirs, ridges, rock holes, rocks, sand banks, scrubs, shoals, soaks, sounds, spits, springs, valleys, watercourses (including rivers, creeks, gullies, brooks, etc), waterfalls, waterholes, wetlands, etc.

  Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development

  Constructed places

  The following places can be owned and operated by multiple levels of government and private entities.

  Type of place	Naming authority
  Bikeways, bridges, car parks, cattle grids, culverts, cuttings, fords, overpasses, public transport infrastructure (e.g. busways, busway stations and bus stops, park n ride facilities, light rail stations), railway crossings, rest areas, roads, tunnels, viaducts, walkways, etc.	State level – Department of Transport and Main Roads for the naming of roads, and Translink for the naming of public transport infrastructure  Local level – Local Governments name roads
  Buildings and similar structures (including schools, correction centres and hospitals)	Department of Education for educational institutions Department of Corrective Services for corrections centres Queensland Health for hospitals and health facilities
  Railway infrastructure such as stations, railway stops (excluding public transport light rail stations)	Queensland Rail
  Sports fields/grounds, courts, racing tracks, raceways and similar	Stadiums Queensland have naming power for major sports facilities
  Boat ramps, jetties, marinas, pontoons, harbour infrastructure	Department of Transport and Main Roads
  Dam walls and similar structures	Seqwater and Sunwater
  Vehicles, boats, aircraft and other mobile assets	Department of Corrective Services for the naming of vehicles, or Maritime Safety Queensland for the naming of its vessels
  Canals and open drains, except where they connect parts of a predominantly natural watercourse	No identified naming authority
  Statues, monuments and commemorative plaques	No identified naming authority
  Survey marks, trigonometric stations, telecommunication towers, water towers, electrical infrastructure and similar	No identified naming authority
  Mines, mine fields, oil fields, quarries and similar	No identified naming authority
  Airports, airfields, landing strips, runways, heliports, helipads and similar	No identified naming authority
  Homesteads and houses	No identified naming authority
  Stations and other similar significant properties	No identified naming authority
  Rural properties	No identified naming authority

  Administrative places

  Type of place	Naming authority
  Towns and cities	Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development
  Addressable localities (bounded localities and suburbs)	Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development
  Local Government Areas	Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers and Local Government Change Commission
  The State of Queensland	Requires a change to The Australian Constitution
  Electorates (including local and federal government Divisions/Wards)	Local electorates – Queensland Redistribution Commission State electorates – Queensland Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works / Local Government Change Commission Federal electorates – Australian Electoral Commission
  National parks, conservation parks, resources reserves, special wildlife reserves, nature refuges, coordinated conservation areas and Indigenous Joint Management Areas	Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
  Marine Parks	Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
  World and other Heritage Areas	There is no single naming authority for these places. They can be owned and operated by multiple levels of government. At a state level. the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts is responsible for cultural heritage areas Heritage is the responsibility of the Australian Government.
  Timber reserves and state forests	Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
  Municipal parks and reserves	Local Governments
  River Improvement Trust Areas	Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers
  Tourism regions, business districts, pastoral districts, agricultural regions, irrigation regions, administrative regions and similar	There is no single naming authority for these places. They can be owned and operated by multiple levels of government. At a state level some examples include Tourism and Events Queensland for tourism regions, Queensland Health for Health Service Areas and Queensland Fire and Emergency Service for Fire Levy Districts.
  Industrial estates, residential estates, business parks and similar	There is no single naming authority for these places. They can be owned and operated by multiple levels of government. Development Queensland is responsible for commercial estates
  Ports	Department of Transport and Main Roads and various Ports Corporations
  Community title schemes	Titles Queensland

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• Naming processes

  The Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development 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).

  The Place naming issues for geographical features and significant locality decisions operational policy expands on each issue listed in section 6 of the Place Names Act and provides guidance for applying them to proposals.

  The Dual naming operational policy outlines the policy on assigning two names to a single place, including formatting, eligibility, and cultural requirements.

  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.

  The Continuation of an existing name operational policy expands on how and when an old name can continue to be used alongside a new one during transitional periods.

  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.

  The Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples in place naming operational policy expands on the process for engagement, consent, and inclusion of Indigenous names and perspectives in official naming.

  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.

  The Adding names to and amending records in the Queensland Gazetteer operational policy explains the Gazetteer’s function and how names are added, amended, or removed.

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• Place name suggestions

  You can suggest to name, rename or remove a name for a geographical feature, city, town or locality (suburb). You can also suggest changes to locality boundaries.

  To make a suggestion, you will need to provide the following information and supporting documentation:

  • the suggested name or change
  • reasons why the change is appropriate
  • a geographic description, map or diagram (for locality changes, the boundaries of localities must be clearly shown)
  • for new names – documentation about the origin and meaning of the name
  • a letter of support from the relevant local government (for locality changes, an acknowledgment that the council may need to reallocate location addresses and notify affected persons)
  • for locality changes – documentation showing widespread support from affected persons, including acknowledgement that they may need to change their location and postal address
  • for a name derived from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language – consent from the relevant Traditional Owners.
  • for a name that commemorates a deceased person or family – a biography (see below for details).

  The Consultation on place name proposals operational policy clarifies when public consultation must be carried out, when it is exempt, and when it is still recommended.

  Names commemorating deceased persons or families

  You will need to provide a biography with:

  • full name/s (including parents and children if known)
  • dates of any relevant births, deaths or marriages
  • information about their life (e.g. their occupation and education)
  • details of any civil and community contributions made by the person/s (e.g. membership of community organisations, terms of office and achievements)
  • details of any honours or decorations received by the person/s
  • consent of family or descendants (preferred but not mandatory)
  • any other historical information to support the suggestion.
  • Make a place name suggestion

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• Place name suggestion form

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• Thank you

  Thank you for submitting your place name suggestion. We'll send you a copy of your application for your records.

  Your suggestion is appreciated, and will undergo an initial review to determine whether it may progress to a more detailed assessment. Each submission is assessed to ensure it conforms to the Place Names Act 1994, and meets the requirements of the Principles for the Consistent Use of Place Names, and other relevant regulations and national standards.

  What happens next?

  We'll review your suggestion and inform you of the outcome. Our Place Names Team may contact you for additional information to help progress your suggestion.

  Contact

  For more information about your application, email QldPlaceNames@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au

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• Naming considerations

  • Names should be simple, concise, and easy to recognise, spell and pronounce.
  • Names should aim to be 50 characters or less.
    • Locality names should preferably be one word.
    • Feature names should include a generic term (e.g. 'river' or 'bay') to indicate the feature type.
  • Numbers must be spelled out (e.g. 'Seventeen Seventy' not '1770').
  • Names should not begin with 'The', unless there are strong historical reasons to include it.
  • Abbreviations, initials or acronyms should not be used, except for 'St' for 'Saint'.
  • Names must not be offensive, racist, derogatory or demeaning.
  • Names must not be perceived as advertising or promoting commercial enterprises, such as housing developments.
  • Naming a place in honour of a person can only occur after the person has passed away. The person commemorated should have contributed significantly to the area (ownership of land in itself is not sufficient). The spelling of the place name should follow the spelling of the personal name (e.g. 'MacRaes Flat' not 'McRaes Flat', if named after Mrs MacRae).
  • Cardinal indicators and similar prefixes or suffixes (e.g. 'Upper', 'New', 'East', 'West') to be avoided. If these terms cannot be avoided, they should appear as suffixes instead of prefixes (e.g. 'Capalaba West' not 'West Capalaba').
  • Locality (suburb) names are to be enduring and must not duplicate (or be similar in spelling or sound) to other locality names within the country (e.g. 'Wytmont', 'Whitmont').
  • Feature names must not be similar in sound or spelling to any similar feature in the surrounding area - check for possible name duplication using the Gazetteer of Australia.
  • Names that are words or acronyms protected by state or Commonwealth legislation need the appropriate Ministerial approval. For example, words and acronyms in the Commonwealth Defence Regulation.
  • Be mindful of intellectual property rights or copyright to the name.

  The Intellectual Property operational policy expands on the legal considerations like trademarks, copyright, misleading conduct, and Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property when proposing or reviewing names.

  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander names

  We consider the views of the relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the wider community, for place name suggestions of unnamed features, or when changing the name of an existing feature.

  Where names are derived from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander languages, it is accepted that a name which might appear to be complex will, over time, become familiar and easy to use within the community.

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• Defining boundaries and extent

  Locality boundaries

  When a proposal to name a locality is being developed, the boundaries of the locality must be clearly defined and described on a plan. In general, boundaries should:

  • align to property (cadastral) boundaries or easily distinguishable community or physical boundaries, such as breaks in residential development or zoning, open space areas, ridges, creeks, flood plains, major road centrelines, railways, canals or pipelines
  • be positioned to include areas of similar character and similar functional relationships in the same locality wherever possible
  • contain no gaps or overlaps
  • not define a locality as an ‘island’ within another locality—all localities should share a boundary with at least 2 other localities or at least 1 other locality and a state or coastal boundary
  • not extend beyond local government or state boundaries
  • not segment land parcels or adjacent properties in common ownership
  • not segment roads into different localities except where it is unavoidable for very long roads (this does not include dividing a road along the centreline where that road has been identified as a distinguishable barrier suitable for a boundary).

  Some exceptions to these principles may sometimes be necessary, for example in areas with complex local government boundaries, localities in coastal or in large areas such as forests, lakes and national parks.

  Feature extents

  Feature extents shown on plans or described in decisions are indicative of the extent to which a name applies and are not intended as legal boundaries. Feature extents are not recorded in the place names database. Instead, each feature has a coordinate value which represents an approximate centroid of the feature. In watercourse and gully features, the coordinate value represents the downstream extent of the feature (e.g. where it joins another watercourse or reaches the ocean).

  The Naming localities operational policy expands on how to assess and categorise locality naming actions, including the correct decision pathway and how to apply place naming issues in these cases.

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• Indigenous languages and their relevance to place naming

  Before European settlement, geographical features and other areas within Australia were described and recognised within one or more of the approximately 260 Aboriginal languages and Torres Strait Islander languages. Through these names, Indigenous knowledge about places, seasons, plants, animals, lore, spirituality and culture was held and transferred across generations.

  Some of these names, words, stories and languages were transcribed by early European explorers into the English language and have been adapted into the names of geographical features and localities which still exist today, such as Mount Coolum or the locality of Maroochydore. However, the names of many other places were changed and assigned a European name.

  As a result of colonisation, and subsequent waves of immigration and settlement, Indigenous names for places have been obscured, compromised and sometimes lost. As First Nations people continue to reclaim culture and revive traditional languages, it is expected that Indigenous names for places will become better known among non-Indigenous people. These names will then feature more prominently in modern Australian culture, and our collective understanding, knowledge, and connection to places.

  Post-colonial place naming in Queensland

  Before 1859, Queensland place naming was the responsibility of the Surveyor General of New South Wales. Across the colony of New South Wales, early explorers and settlers would name places in commemoration of events, public figures and places from European culture, but also name places after close friends or benefactors.

  To discourage this practice, and to recognise the Indigenous languages and culture that already existed, Major Sir Thomas Livingston Mitchell (Surveyor General of New South Wales, 1828–1855) gave a directive in 1828 that surveyors must, where possible, use and record Indigenous languages for place names. This extended to the names of settlers’ grants, new leaseholds on Crown Lands and new parishes. However, when transcribing, Mitchell insisted that Indigenous languages be simplified and made easier to read and pronounced in English, which led to mispronunciation of many Indigenous language words when used for place naming purposes. By the 1850s it had become conventional practice to record and use Indigenous languages for place names.

  After the separation of the states, names were supplied by the Railways Department, Post Office and the Department of Public Instructions for ratification by the Department of Lands and the Surveyor General.

  In the early 1920s, an unofficial committee comprising the Surveyor General, Commissioner of Railways, head of the Department of Public Instructions and university representatives was formed to approve and ratify all new place names. Professor Cumbrae-Stewart, representing The University of Queensland, was an influential committee member, who later became Chairman of the Queensland Place Names Committee. Other contributors to the recording of the history of place names were Sydney May and Colin Gill.

  The Place Names Act

  The Queensland Place Names Act 1958 set up the Place Names Board to approve names in the state. The Queensland Place Names Act 1988 disbanded the board and passed the responsibility for place naming to the Surveyor General, with Executive Council approving the names.

  The Place Names Act 1994 gave the power for approval of place names to a Minister of the Crown. The Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals currently exercises this power. Records were first recorded on a card system, started by the unofficial committee in the 1920s. These cards were moved to The University of Queensland and later returned to the Department of Lands (Survey Office). In the 1940s, another more extensive card system was compiled using information from cadastral, topographic and military maps and the existing card system. In 1988, a computer system for place names was developed and all available information was entered into the Queensland place names database.

  The Place Names Act 1994 has not changed substantially since it came into force almost 30 years ago. In 2024, the Act was amended to respond to significant shifts that had occurred in community expectations, advances in technology and developments in business practices, policy and regulation.

  Names recorded in the place names database have been collected over time through both formal and informal processes. There are names in the database that are not included the gazetteer which may be unofficial or may be formally named under another authority. The alternative name field is reserved for the recording of Indigenous names to recognise where they differ from official place names. Not all listed Indigenous names have been verified by the appropriate First Nations Peoples.

Naming places in Queensland, 15 May 2025, [https://www.qldgovau.staging-services.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/place-names/naming]

This document is uncontrolled when printed. Before using the information in this document you should verify the current content on https://www.qldgovau.staging-services.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/place-names/naming.