Geographic Names Victoria (GNV) is the State Government body which oversees the naming and registration of roads, localities, and feature in Victoria.

GNV has advised that a distinct suburb name will be required for the properties created within the Pakenham East Precinct Structure area.

The basis for this advice is the large number of residences that the area will include, the distinct geographic area and confusion that will be created if the existing localities and postcodes are retained.

Neither of these names comply with the naming rules published by GNV which Council must follow in naming places, streets, or features. Specifically, these names don’t comply with Principle L – (Directional l names to be avoided).

For more information visit www.land.vic.gov.au/place-naming

The Western boundary will begin from Ryan Road, Pakenham. This will follow Ryan Road South to the Princes Freeway.

The Southern boundary will then be established along the property lines adjacent to the Princess Freeway to where the Princess Freeway and Princess Highway meet.

The Eastern boundary will follow the Princess Highway up to Mount Ararat North Road, where the boundary will continue North up Mount Ararat North Road.

View the map on this page.

Comments were received from Emergency Services, and supported by Geographic Names Victoria, that these parcels should be included into the boundary, as to not include them would be considered a public safety risk.

Each of these localities and postcodes fall within the current precinct area. Pakenham can’t be used as the suburb already covers a large area.

The main reason for not using any of the existing localities is to avoid future confusion.

If unchanged, there will be confusion with business and residents having different localities and postcodes on the same roads. This would be particularly concerning for emergency services, this is covered by Principle A - (Ensuring Public Safety).

It is the shortlisted names that have been pre-approved and will be voted on.

Any suggested name will need to be consistent with the naming rules set by Geographic Names Victoria.

For more information visit www.land.vic.gov.au/place-naming

This is an unfortunate situation. It is likely that GNV will request the Department of Transport to consider reviewing the name of the station so that it complies with the GNV naming requirements.

The suburb and postcode of existing addresses of released lots will need to be changed when the new suburb name is registered.

Street names and numbering will remain unchanged. Council will provide details to each developer, land sales office and real estate agent to pass onto purchasers.

On a monthly basis until the Suburb name is registered Council will write directly to all new property owners in the area. Council will also correspond with service providers such as telecommunications, water and electricity to advise of the change in suburb name.

Council will not be paying the costs for residents to change their address.

External referrals were conducted with Emergency Services organisations as part of the naming process which has revealed concerns for public safety and risk of confusion with the duplicate naming of Mount Ararat Roads.

Council is now required to rename both Mount Ararat North Road and Mount Ararat South Road as part of this project.

Council is proposing to rename ‘Mount Ararat South Road’ with the second most popular name from the engagement survey, and ‘Mount Ararat North Road’ will be renamed ‘Mount Ararat Road’.

Both Mount Ararat North Road and Mount Ararat South Road are required to be renamed as it is a risk to community safety to allow these names to remain.

The naming rules do not allow for the use of Cardinal directions and for Council to comply these names must be changed.

If you do not agree with Council’s decision on the suburb name any person, or organisation, can lodge an appeal with GNV.

Details on how to lodge a submission to object can be found in Section 8 of the Naming Rules.