PLACE NAMES AMENDMENT BILL 2004 Second Reading Speech

Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches

PLACE NAMES AMENDMENT BILL 2004

(This an uncorrected proof of the daily report. It is made available under the condition that it is recognised as such.)

Dr BURNS (Lands and Planning): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time.

The main purposes of this bill are to redefine the meaning of public place on which the scope for the act depends, whether it requires wider consultation during the process of naming or renaming places, provides the delegation by the minister for the naming of certain classes of places, and enable the minister to dispense with the need for gazettal of place names.

A new definition of ‘place’ is substituted for a narrow definition of ‘public place’ in the current act and encompasses it as natural features, administrative areas, roads, parks, public infrastructure and places of public or historic interest that the community would expect the act to cover.

The Place Names Committee, to date, has been unable to satisfy numerous requests to officially name many such places. The fact that such places do not have official names can create uncertainty and confusion.

An amendment to section 9 requires the Place Names Committee to seek the views of organisations and individuals potentially affected by naming proposals, including representative indigenous organisations and land owners as well as local governments. While in practice the Place Names Committee does consult widely, it is currently only required to seek the views of local councils which cover only a small area of the Northern Territory. This amendment will ensure the right people are consulted irrespective of the location of the proposed names. Further amendments provide for the minister to delegate naming powers to the chairperson of the Place Names Committee or the Surveyor-General in cases where, for example, the boundaries of an existing name place have changed or the same name is applied to an extension of a road.

Names that have long been used on maps or have been in common use for at least 10 years can also be made official through such delegated powers. Rather than gazette every approved place name the amendments will instead establish a public accessible place names register which will contain all official names including the location and history. However, names may still be published in the Gazette where this is considered appropriate and the Place Name Committee may develop guidelines to determine when this should apply.

Finally, the amendments also include the updated gender provisions in line with Northern Territory government policy. These amendments will enable streamlined administrative procedures to be introduced to support not only new place names but also the conversion to official status of many place names that have been long used in the Northern Territory with minimal administrative complexity and cost. I commend this bill to members.

Debate adjourned.

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