PROPOSAL TO GIVE BRISBANE’S CBD A REAL NAME

For decades Brisbane’s CBD has been officially known only by the generic term of ‘City’.

As Queensland celebrates its 150^th anniversary, the Bligh Government is putting forward a proposal to provide the area encompassing the Central Business District and Petrie Terrace with a proper moniker.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace is calling for public submissions on a proposal which would see the suburb renamed ‘Brisbane’.

Minister Wallace said: “Brisbane is one of the few major cities in Australia where the capital’s CBD doesn’t have a name reflecting the actual city.

“Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart all use the name of the city as the suburb name for their CBD areas.

“The use of the name ‘city’ for Brisbane’s CBD has not only left the central area without a clear Queensland identity, it has also at times been a cause of confusion for Australia Post.

“A range of alternatives regularly used and listed on the State’s place name database include ‘Brisbane – City’, ‘City – Brisbane’ and ‘Central Brisbane’.

“This is something we would like to resolve, and that is why we are putting a suggestion out for community feedback, proposing the suburb of ‘City’ be renamed ‘Brisbane’”.

State Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace said she fully supported the call for public comment on the naming of Brisbane’s CBD.

“Those of us who live and work in Brisbane’s central suburb want an official name for this area and I’m pleased that the Bligh Government is starting the process to make this happen.

“This proposed name change will provide clarity on the official name of the CBD area for Australia Post, Emergency Services and all local residents.”

Mr Wallace said as part of the proposed name change, the boundaries of the suburb will be amended to align with rear property boundaries, centrelines of roads and natural features such as the Brisbane River.

“The current position of the suburb boundaries are not linked to property boundaries or roads and are therefore open to confusion,” Mr Wallace said.

“The boundary actually runs through the middle of some properties and separates neighbouring buildings between two suburbs. For example, the address of All Hallows’ School is Fortitude Valley, but some separate buildings on the school grounds fall into the suburb boundary of ‘City’.

“A small section of the Suncorp Stadium precinct is also separated across the current boundary.

“The proposed change aims to resolve this issue of properties straddling neighbouring suburbs.

“The proposal is now open for public submissions and I encourage Queenslanders to put forward their views.”

Further information and a map of the area is now available on the Department of Natural Resources and Water website www.nrw.qld.gov.au. Submissions can be made on line or by contacting Information Services at the Department of Natural Resources and Water on (07) 3406 2546.

Submissions close on Friday 13 March 2009.

Media Contact: Minister Wallace’s office, 3896 3688.