There's been much talk and many questions raised among Parkes residents regarding the naming of five new bridges that have been constructed.
It has led Parkes Shire Council to address some of the questions to help people better understand the naming process.
These include why the bridges are being named, how the names were chosen and the guidelines for naming roads and bridges.
We've decided to include the questions and answers from Council below too, for everyone's convenience.
The five bridges up for naming are on Victoria Street, East Street, Hartigan Avenue and two within the Special Activation Precinct (SAP).
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Council has suggested two names for each - all but one after a Parkes Shire councillor and a Wiradjuri name - which residents would vote on.
All the information has been included on the opening page of the survey that Council is asking the community to complete by 14 March to help it name the bridges.
Why name these bridges?
Due to the construction of the Parkes Bypass, the completion of East Street bridge and Brolgan Road upgrades, a number of new bridges have been built.
Naming roads and bridges helps acknowledge local history, culture, and identity while also improving navigation for residents, visitors, and emergency services.
It ensures consistency with state and national naming standards and recognises significant local heritage, Indigenous culture, and historical figures or events.
Who decides the names?
Parkes Shire Council is responsible for naming local roads and bridges, with all proposed names required to meet the Geographical Names Board of NSW (GNB) criteria.
Council’s Road and Place Naming Committee, made up of elected Council members, reviews and endorses names before approval.
How were the names selected?
The Road Naming Committee met on 17 December, 2024 to review potential names.
Indigenous-themed names and other historically significant options were considered.
Names were assessed against GNB criteria to ensure compliance.
For each bridge, a primary name and alternative options were chosen for public consultation.
Naming rules
All proposals must follow NSW Geographical Names Board guidelines, including:
- Avoiding duplicate names in the region.
- Reflecting local history, Indigenous language, or cultural significance.
- Honouring people only posthumously, with a historical connection to the area.
- Ensuring clear pronunciation and spelling.
- Following standard formats (no commercial or promotional names).
How to have your say
Vote for your preferred name on the ‘Your Say’ section of the Parkes Shire Council website. Suggest an alternative name using the free-text option on the consultation form.
All feedback will be reviewed at the next Road and Place Naming Committee meeting on 18 March before final decisions are made.
"We welcome your input and appreciate your involvement in shaping the identity of our shire’s infrastructure," Parkes Shire Council said.
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