Roads that can be named
A road is defined as an area that is:
- open to the public,
- accessible by vehicles, or on foot (such as pedestrian areas or open spaces used for public activities or designated trails), and
- used for addressing purposes.
Roads that need names include state roads, regional and local roads, roads over rail bridges, rights of way, easements intended as roads, and Crown roads.
Note: Public roads must be named. It isn't necessary to name private (non-dedicated) roads, according to legislation. However, it is considered best practice for private roads to be proposed, endorsed by the Geographical Names Board (GNB) and included in Spatial Services’ systems.
When a new road name is needed
A new road name is needed:
- for brand new public and private roads.
- on the rare occasion there are compelling reasons for a road name change, such as the redesign of a road, changed traffic flow, mail or service delivery problems, duplication issues and addressing problems.
Organisations responsible for road naming
The authority overseeing the road is responsible for its naming. Local councils name regional and local roads, Transport for NSW names state roads, including national routes and highways.
Local councils must endorse and ensure the road name is approved by the GNB and officially recorded.
They must collaborate on road naming with entities like State Forests, the Federal Airports Corporation, Sydney Ports, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and private sector tollway operators.
Laws to follow
When naming public roads in NSW, road naming authorities must follow the:
- Roads Act 1993 (Part 10, Division 4, Section162)
- Roads Regulation 2018 (part 2, Division 1, Clause 7)
- NSW Address Policy and User Manual (6.7 Principles of Road Naming) regardless of road type.
Why road names are important
Road names must be officially and correctly recorded. If they're not, it can slow delivery of emergency and other services to residents and businesses.
Visit How addresses are decided.
The most essential quality for a road name
When proposing a new road name, uniqueness is the priority. Duplication of similar road names can cause confusion for emergency services, which can delay response times.
A name is considered a duplicate if it closely resembles the spelling or pronunciation of an existing name, regardless of road type.
Duplication of road names is prohibited:
- within the same locality, in an adjoining locality, in any duplicated locality in NSW, and
- within a 10km radius for metropolitan urban areas, a 20km radius for regional urban areas, and a 30km radius for rural areas, to ensure a minimum distance between any duplications.
Languages
Road names should be in Australian English or a recognised format of an Australian Aboriginal language local to the area of the road. Australian English includes any word that has a meaning in the English language, as confirmed in an English dictionary.
If using the name of a foreign town or country it must be in the angliscised form. For example, Germany not Deutschland.
Learn more at acceptable road names in the NSW Address Policy and User Manual.
Commemorative road names
The main goal of naming roads is to create clear addresses, rather than to honour people. Clarity in names helps emergency services and other organisations find their way around our community.
Using first names along with surnames for road names is not allowed. Road names can’t be too long. And including both first and last names of a person can cause confusion, and defeat the purpose of the road name.
There are numerous structures suitable for commemorative naming aside from roads, including:
- recreational facilities
- buildings/facilities/rooms
- carparks
- parks (reserves) – visit How places are named in NSW.
Road name origins
The GNB does not hold any origin information for roads named before 2015. If you'd like to find out the origin of a road name, contact your local council, historians, or libraries.
Dual road naming
Dual naming does not apply to roads, suburbs, localities or other post-settlement areas such as reserves or state forests. Dual naming applies to assigning a traditional Aboriginal place name to a geographical feature that already has an official non-Aboriginal name. Visit Dual naming.
The role of the GNB
The Geographical Names Board (GNB) doesn't name roads, but we must be notified of all road naming proposals in NSW.
Our role is to:
- set the policy and processes for all road naming proposals in NSW
- review all new and altered road names in NSW on behalf of the NSW Surveyor-General
- object to any new or altered road name that does not meet the guidelines in the principles of road naming in the NSW Address Policy and User Manual
- ensure road names are clear and support addressing objectives, so we can all can navigate effectively within our communities
- publish the NSW Address Policy and User Manual, which has been developed with DCS Spatial Services, the GNB, local councils and emergency services
- compile, maintain and publish a list of all road names in NSW.
Road name enquiries
If you're a member of the public
If you're a community member with a query related to road names, contact your council. Find your local council details.
If you're from a council or TfNSW
If you're a representative of the relevant local government council and want to propose a road name, you must:
- have the name endorsed by your council
- check the suitability of the name at road name evaluation
- propose the name via the Proposal system for road naming.
- read the relevant policy and guidelines, visit the NSW Address Policy and User Manual (6.7 Principles of Road Naming).