Geographical Naming Board

• Are we naming a road or a place?

• A private road, This Road Class is Crown Road and Local Government is responsible for endorsing the authoritative road name and ensuring it is approved by GNB and gazetted.

  The road type will be formalised in line with Council's Policy: Naming of a Thoroughfare at the August Council Meeting.

• What are the guidelines from Geographical Naming Board?

• Any name that is

  • No more than 25-30 characters and should not exceed three words
  • Written in standard Australian English or a recognised format of Australian Aboriginal language local to the area.
  • Easy to pronounce.
    • A traditional Aboriginal name, that may appear complex, is acceptable as it will become familiar over time.
  • Must not include initials or numerals.
  • Aligns within at least one of the below categories:
    • Native flora or geographical feature
    • Served in a recognised conflict
    • Connection with the local Wiradjuri people, custom or stories
    • Family name with long association with the local Dubbo area
    • Historically significant (Event, moment or location)
    • Notable hero or icon who has achieved or made significant contributions, posthumously.

  All nominations must be significant to the Dubbo Region.

• What role does the Geographical Naming Board play?

• The Geographical Naming Board or GNB are the governing body when naming a place or road within NSW. Before you submit a name it must meet their guidelines under the Geographical Names Act 1966.

  If you wish to learn more please follow the link.

• Can this section continue to be known as “Tracker Riley?"

• Definitely.

  If the community would like to see this name retained it will be considered. You must however nominate it!

  If Tracker Riley is nominated, further consultation will be undertaken within our Wiradjuri community to ensure our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are engaged in the proposal.

• What happens if my nomination is selected and approved?

• The name that is recommended to Council and endorsed will then be submitted to the GNB. Once approved the successful nomination will be acknowledged by letter and with permission involved with media to the level they are comfortable with.

Further context

• Where did the “Legacy Shared Pathway” name come from?

• The Legacy Shared Pathway was a working title associated with the grant that Council received to construct the pathway. The original title also referred to a “Boardwalk” as under the Macquarie River CBD Master Plan that was adopted in April 2020 a boardwalk was proposed at the bottom of the bank. Concerns about the ability of the boardwalk to survive flooding events saw the project move to the top of the high bank and incorporate the existing roadway – becoming a Shared Pathway. The Shared Pathway will also enable event vehicles to access the Event Precinct stage area to “bump-in” and “bump-out” events.

  The 330m long section of the Tracker Riley Pathway was built following a $3 million grant from the NSW Government’s Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.
  

• What is the significance of the name “Tracker Riley?”

• Tracker Riley was a well-known and respected member of the community and served in the local Police force for 39 years rising to the rank of Sergeant. The first Aboriginal police officer in NSW to achieve this rank. Alexander “Tracker” Riley was also the first Aboriginal Police Officer to be awarded the King’s Police and Fire Services’ Medal for meritorious service, in 1943.
  

  For more information about Alexander “Tracker” Riley, there are information boards installed along the Shared Pathway between Golf Links Creek and Obley Road.

• Isn’t this part of the Macquarie River Tracker Riley Shared Pathway?

• The Tracker Riley Shared Pathway in this section of the river was the decomposed granite pathway on the western side of the roadway. The internal road was un-named.

  As part of the project the pathway and the roadway was combined to provide improved accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and event vehicles.

  It is important for places and roads to be named so they can be identified on maps. This activity will result on this area being identified as an access point for vehicles to the surrounding park, river and buildings.

• What are the impacts of naming this pathway?

• There are some positive and negative impacts to naming this area of pathway.

  • Create a uniquely identifiable space
  • Support emergency services in identifying this location
  • Opportunity to link our current Tracker Riley Shard Pathway with the proposed events precinct.
  • It impacts Wayfinding signage recently installed along the Macquarie River, while the loop remains the same the new name may not appear until signs are renewed or funding is identified.
  • It impacts current references to the area across brochures, guides, maps and signage. These will be renewed over time depending on scale of impact.

Related projects

• Hasn’t Council recently completed a Wayfinding Signage project?

• Yes.

  This section of the Tracker Riley Shared Pathway forms part of Tracker Riley Shared Pathway Loop 1. The loop will remain the same, but the location would need to be updated over time and as funds allow.

• What is happening with the Event Precinct? Will it be named?

• The “Macquarie River Event Precinct”, which is a working title, is progressing towards going out to tender.

  Once a tender is accepted and a Contractor engaged it is expected that it will take between 14 – 18 months to complete. A name for the Event Precinct has not be chosen at this time and may involve further community engagement.