Acknowledgement
The Geographical Names Board acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and the places in which we live.
We pay respect to Ancestors and Elders past and present.
We recognise the unique cultural and spiritual relationship and celebrate the contributions of First Nations peoples to Australia.
Who we are
The Geographical Names Board (GNB) is empowered by the Geographical Names Act 1966, which gives it the authority to assign names to places. This includes:
- investigating and determining the form, spelling, meaning, pronunciation, origin and history of any geographical name and
- determining the application of each name with regard to position, extent or other reference.
Organisations such as local councils and map publishers rely heavily on the GNB to provide authoritative toponyms for use on signs and maps. The Board’s determinations with respect to official suburbs and localities are used by the real estate industry for describing property locations.
Geographical Names Board
Latest Geographical Names Board updates
Current place name proposals
The NSW Place and Road Naming Proposal System (Proposal System) provides a single point of access to submit and manage place and road name proposals.
The Proposal System is primarily for use by local government councils and other relevant government authorities.
First time users will be required to register for an account via an online registration form.
If you are representing local government, or another government authority, you have the option to register an account for road naming or place naming, or both.
Our work
Booti walking track, Booti Booti National Park
John Spencer/DCCEEW
The Geographical Names Board is the authority for place naming in NSW. We approve names for land-based features such as valleys, beaches and cliffs, as well as suburbs and parks. Local councils are responsible for naming bridges and roads.
Darling River, Darling River campground, Toorale National Park.
Joshua Smith DCCEEW.
The Geographical Names Board is committed to revitalising and preserving Aboriginal languages through place naming.
Polygonum Swamp, Darling River, Bourke
John Spencer/DCCEEW
The Geographical Names Board is committed to restoring the traditional Aboriginal names for places in NSW. Where a feature has an official name, the Aboriginal name can be assigned as a dual name. Learn more about dual naming here.
Publications, news and resources
Geographical Names Board
Any enquiries, comments, suggestions or amendments can be sent to:
The Secretary
Geographical Names Board
346 Panorama Avenue
Bathurst NSW 2795
Media enquiries
For all media enquiries, please email media@customerservice.nsw.gov.au or call 0438 108 797