WALLACE CREEK PROPOSAL RECALLS PIONEER PAST

Residents are being invited to have their say on a proposal to officially name Wallace Creek at Burnett Heads, north east of Bundaberg.

Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace (no relation as far as he knows) said the department had been approached by local historian Marjorie Kidd to officially name the creek.

“The name ‘Wallace’ originates from the pioneering Wallace family who were among the first settlers in the district during the 1870s,” Mr Wallace said.

“Research of early survey maps shows the original name for the township of Burnett Heads was in fact Wallace Town.

“The creek is quite significant and flows for approximately 2.5 kilometres from its source on flat mangrove swamp lands to the Burnett River, west of the Burnett Heads boat harbour.”

The Department of Natural Resources and Water administers the Place Names Act 1994, which officially controls the naming of localities, suburbs and geographical features in local government areas.

A plan illustrating the proposal is available for public inspection at the NRW office, 16-32 Enterprise Street, Bundaberg, the Burnett Shire Administration Building, 160 Hughes Road, Bargara and at the Burnett Heads Community Hall.

Mr Wallace said written submissions could be addressed to the Regional Service Director, South East Region, Ipswich Office, Department of Natural Resources and Water, PO Box 864, Ipswich Qld 4305 until 2 November 2007.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.