Why place naming is important
Place names are our primary way of identifying different places, be it in cities, towns or out in nature.
Ensuring consistency and accuracy is essential to effective communications, orderly development, and public safety.
Place names must also be enduring to avoid confusion.
Place naming provides a unique opportunity to record the history and stories of the Northern Territory and to commemorate people who have contributed to its development, and supported its communities.
One of the principle guidelines applied by the Committee when considering whether to recommend a name to the Minister is its association with the Northern Territory.
Place names are also a pivotal part of Aboriginal culture and history. The identification of geographic features using their original Aboriginal names is:
- a way of showing respect for Aboriginal culture, tradition and songlines
- an important part of the reconciliation process.
The use of Aboriginal language words in other types of place names (such as roads) also provides an excellent opportunity to elevate knowledge of the many first languages of the Northern Territory.
