{"id":"a-alt-1989-31","name":"PUBLIC PLACE NAMES ACT 1989","slug":"public-place-names-act-1989","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":233571,"registerId":"act-public-place-names-act-1989-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-06","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"PUBLIC PLACE NAMES ACT 1989","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nPublic Place Names Act 1989\nA1989-31\nRepublication No 8\nEffective: 29 September 2022\nRepublication date: 29 September 2022\nLast amendment made by A2022-15\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Public Place Names Act 1989 (including any amendment made\nunder the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 29 September 2022.\nIt also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law\nto 29 September 2022.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR8\n29/09/22\nPublic Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nPublic Place Names Act 1989\nContents\nPage\n1 Name of Act 2\n1A Dictionary 2\n1B Notes 2\n2 Meaning of public place 2\n3 Minister to determine names 2\n4 Regard given to certain names 3\n4A Guidelines about naming of public places 4\n5 Regulation-making power 4\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Public Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\nR8\n29/09/22\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary 5\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 6\n2 Abbreviation key 6\n3 Legislation history 7\n4 Amendment history 9\n5 Earlier republications 10\n\nR8\n29/09/22\nPublic Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nPublic Place Names Act 1989\nAct to provide for the naming of divisions and public places\n\nSection 1\npage 2 Public Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\nR8\n29/09/22\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Public Place Names Act 1989.\n1A Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined\nelsewhere in this Act.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘public place—see section 2.’ means\nthat the term ‘public place’ is defined in that section.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,\nprovides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see\nLegislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n1B Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See the Legislation Act s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n2 Meaning of public place\nIn this Act:\npublic place includes an avenue, road, street, geographical feature or\nplace that the public is entitled to use, and any unleased land.\n3 Minister to determine names\n(1) The Minister—\n(a) must determine the name of a division of Territory land; and\n(b) may determine the name of a public place that is Territory land.\n\nSection 4\nR8\n29/09/22\nPublic Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) If the Minister is making a determination about the naming of a\ndivision, or the naming of a public place after a person mentioned in\nsection 4 (2) (a) or (b), the Minister must consider—\n(a) the number of women and men after whom divisions or public\nplaces have been named in the last 10 years; and\n(b) whether the names of women are well-represented.\n(3) If the Minister is making a determination about the naming of a public\nplace, the Minister must consider any guideline made under—\n(a) section 4A (Guidelines about naming of public places); and\n(b) the Districts Act 2002, section 14 (Guidelines about allocation\nof street addresses).\n(4) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\nNote A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the\nLegislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act 2001.\n4 Regard given to certain names\n(1) When making a determination in respect of the naming of a division,\nthe Minister shall have regard to the names of persons who have made\nnotable contributions to the existence of Australia as a nation.\n(2) When making a determination in respect of the naming of a public\nplace, the Minister shall have regard to—\n(a) the names of persons famous in Australian exploration,\nnavigation, pioneering, reconciliation, administration, politics,\neducation, science or letters;\n(b) the names of persons who have made notable contributions to\nthe existence of Australia as a nation;\n(c) the names of Australian flora;\n\nSection 4A\npage 4 Public Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\nR8\n29/09/22\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(d) the names of things characteristic of Australia or Australians;\nand\n(e) Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander vocabulary.\n(3) Before having regard to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander\nvocabulary under subsection (2) (e), the Minister must take\nreasonable steps to consult an appropriate cultural group.\n4A Guidelines about naming of public places\n(1) The Minister may make guidelines about the naming of public places.\n(2) A guideline may make provision about a matter by applying, adopting\nor incorporating an Australian Standard, or a provision of an\nAustralian Standard, as in force from time to time.\n(3) The Legislation Act, section 47 (5) or (6) does not apply to an\nAustralian Standard, or a provision of an Australian Standard,\napplied, adopted or incorporated in a guideline.\nNote An Australian Standard does not need to be notified under the Legislation\nAct because s 47 (5) and (6) do not apply (see Legislation Act, s 47 (7)).\nThe standard may be purchased at www.standards.org.au.\n(4) A guideline is a notifiable instrument.\nNote A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.\n5 Regulation-making power\nThe Executive may make regulations for this Act.\nNote Regulations must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly,\nunder the Legislation Act 2001.\n\nDictionary\nR8\n29/09/22\nPublic Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 1A)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n• Executive\n• Minister (see s 162)\n• territory land.\ndivision, in relation to land means a division under the Districts\nAct 2002, section 6.\npublic place—see section 2.\n\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\npage 6 Public Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\nR8\n29/09/22\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR8\n29/09/22\nPublic Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis Act was originally a Commonwealth ordinance—the Public Place Names\nOrdinance 1989 A1989-31 (Cwlth).\nThe Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 34 (4)\nconverted most former Commonwealth ordinances in force in the ACT into ACT\nenactments. This allowed the ACT Legislative Assembly to amend and repeal the\nlaws. This Act was converted into an ACT enactment on 11 May 1989 (self-\ngovernment day).\nAs with most ordinances in force in the ACT, the name was changed from\nOrdinance to Act by the Self-Government (Citation of Laws) Act 1989 A1989-21,\ns 5 on 11 May 1989 (self-government day).\nPublic Place Names Act 1989 A1989-31\nnotified 10 May 1989\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 May 1989 (s 2 (1))\nremainder (ss 3-7) commenced 11 May 1989 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1989\nNo S164)\nas amended by\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 314\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 314 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and Gaz 2001 No S65)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2001 (No 2) A2001-56 pt 1.5\nnotified 5 September 2001 (Gaz 2001 No S65)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 5 September 2001 (IA s 10B)\namdts 1.42, 1.43, 1.46 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 (2))\npt 1.5 remainder commenced 5 September 2001 (s 2 (1))\nPublic Place Names Amendment Act 2002 A2002-54\nnotified LR 20 December 2002\ns 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 2002 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 21 December 2002 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 A2007-3 sch 3 pt 3.79\nnotified LR 22 March 2007\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2006 (LA s 75 (2))\nsch 3 pt 3.79 commenced 12 April 2007 (s 2 (1))\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 8 Public Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\nR8\n29/09/22\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPlanning, Building and Environment Legislation Amendment\nAct 2013 A2013-15 pt 9\nnotified LR 21 May 2013\ns 1, s 2 commenced 21 May 2013 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 9 commenced 22 May 2013 (s 2)\nPlanning, Building and Environment Legislation Amendment\nAct 2013 (No 2) A2013-40 pt 7\nnotified LR 6 November 2013\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2013 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 7 commenced 27 January 2014 (s 2 and CN2014-1)\nPlanning, Building and Environment Legislation Amendment\nAct 2017 (No 2) A2017-20 pt 10\nnotified LR 15 June 2017\ns 1, s 2 commenced 15 June 2017 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 10 commenced 16 June 2017 (s 2)\nPublic Place Names Amendment Act 2022 A2022-15\nnotified LR 28 September 2022\ns 1, s 2 commenced 28 September 2022 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 29 September 2022 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR8\n29/09/22\nPublic Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nName of Act\ns 1 sub A2001-56 amdt 1.41\nDictionary\ns 1A ins A2007-3 amdt 3.417\nNotes\ns 1B ins A2007-3 amdt 3.417\nMeaning of public place\ns 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.3459\nins A2001-56 amdt 1.42\nam A2013-15 s 17\nMinister to determine names\ns 3 orig s 3 om A2001-56 amdt 1.42\npres s 3 (prev s 4) am A2001-44 amdt 1.3460, amdt 1.3461\nrenum A2001-56 amdt 1.43\nam A2002-54 s 4, s 5; A2013-15 s 18; A2013-40 s 17;\nss renum R6 LA\nRegard given to certain names\ns 4 orig s 4 am A2001-44 amdt 1.3460, amdt 1.3461\nrenum as s 3 A2001-56 amdt 1.43\npres s 4 (prev s 6) am A2001-56 amdt 1.44, amdt 1.45\nrenum A2001-56 amdt 1.46\nam A2017-20 s 18; A2022-15 s 4\nGuidelines about naming of public places\ns 4A ins A2013-40 s 18\nRegulation-making power\ns 5 orig s 5 om A2001-44 amdt 1.3462\nins A2001-56 amdt 1.47\nRegard given to certain names\ns 6 renum as s 4 A2001-56 amdt 1.46\nSavings\ns 7 om A2001-56 amdt 1.47\nDictionary\ndict ins A2007-3 amdt 3.418\ndef division ins A2013-15 s 19\ndef public place ins A2007-3 amdt 3.418\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 10 Public Place Names Act 1989\nEffective: 29/09/22\nR8\n29/09/22\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 not amended 31 July 1991\n2 A2001-56 13 December 2001\n3 A2002-54 21 December 2002\n4 A2007-3 12 April 2007\n5 A2013-15 22 May 2013\n6 A2013-40 27 January 2014\n7 A2017-20 16 June 2017\n© Australian Capital Territory 2022","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act remains focused on naming public places and divisions, but subsequent amendments expanded both procedural and substantive scope. Notable additions include: a statutory requirement to consider recent gender balance when naming divisions or naming public places after persons (s 3(2)); an express list of categories to guide naming, including reconciliation and Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander vocabulary with an explicit consultation duty (s 4, s 4(3)); and an express power to make guidelines that may incorporate Australian Standards (s 4A). Those changes broaden the decision criteria and add procedural expectations (consultation and guidelines), moving the Act beyond a simple naming authority into an instrument that embeds representational and procedural considerations."},"complexity_factors":["Short Act: 5 substantive sections plus a short dictionary","Few defined terms — ‘public place’ (s 2) and ‘division’ (dictionary signpost to Districts Act)","Cross-references to external laws: Districts Act 2002 (definition of division) and the Legislation Act (instrument and notification rules)","Discretional language with limited procedural detail: multiple 'must have regard to' and 'reasonable steps to consult' tests (ss 3, 4, 4(3))","Instrument types: determinations are disallowable instruments and guidelines are notifiable instruments (adds administrative rules)","Guidelines may incorporate external Australian Standards by reference (s 4A(2)–(3)), adding complexity through external documents","Conditional logic is light but includes a time-bound gender consideration (compare last 10 years) (s 3(2))"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act centralises formal naming power in the Minister for Territory divisions and public places, making naming determinations disallowable instruments used in official records. It requires the Minister to have regard to categories (notable people, Australian flora/characteristics, Indigenous vocabulary with cultural consultation) and, for certain namings, to consider recent gender balance.\n\nThe Minister may issue guidelines (including by reference to Australian Standards). Naming decisions create administrative effects and update costs for government, residents and businesses."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose of providing a framework for naming ACT divisions and public places. While amendments have added modern considerations (gender balance requirements in 2022, Indigenous consultation requirements, and guideline-making powers), these represent evolution within the original scope rather than scope creep. The Act has not expanded to regulate private property naming, commercial signage, or other unrelated matters."},"complexity_factors":["Only 5 operative sections (ss 1-5) plus a short dictionary","Minimal defined terms – only 2 explicit definitions ('division' and 'public place')","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic","Straightforward procedural requirements (must consider X, must consult Y)","Single cross-reference to the Districts Act 2002 for addressing guidelines","No intricate penalty structures or enforcement mechanisms","Simple hierarchy: Minister determines names → follows guidelines → Assembly can disallow"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Act gives the ACT Minister the power to officially name suburbs (called \"divisions\") and public places like streets, roads, parks, and geographical features on Territory land.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **ACT residents** – anyone living in or using Canberra's streets and suburbs\n- **The Minister** – currently responsible for planning and land management\n- **Cultural groups** – specifically Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups who must be consulted before Indigenous vocabulary is used\n\n**Key rules the Minister must follow:**\n\n- **Must** name all suburbs (divisions)\n- **May** name public places like streets and parks\n- **Must consider gender balance** – when naming after people, the Minister must look at how many men vs women have been honoured in the last 10 years, and ensure women are well-represented\n- **Must consider guidelines** about naming conventions and street addressing\n- **Must honour certain themes** when choosing names:\n  - For suburbs: people who helped build Australia as a nation\n  - For public places: explorers, pioneers, politicians, scientists, Australian flora, things characteristic of Australia, or Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander words (with consultation)\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis law shapes Canberra's identity. It ensures street and suburb names reflect Australian history, culture, and values – including recent efforts to better recognise women and Indigenous heritage. The naming decisions are \"disallowable instruments\" (meaning the Legislative Assembly can veto them if it disagrees).\n\n**In short:** It's the rulebook for what Canberra's streets and suburbs can be called, with special attention to gender equality and cultural respect."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/public-place-names-act-1989","history":"/api/acts/public-place-names-act-1989/history","analysis":"/api/acts/public-place-names-act-1989/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/public-place-names-act-1989/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/public-place-names-act-1989/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/public-place-names-act-1989/documents"}}