New suburb names to honour our ANZACs

· Victorian Coalition Government’s ANZAC Commemorative Naming Project enables councils to take part in naming suburbs
· Coalition Government engaging local councils
· Coalition Government honouring Victoria’s history

Victoria’s bravest soldiers, including our very own ANZACs, along with famous battles, significant events and landmarks from World War I and World War II, will be honoured as part of a process to name our newest suburbs.

Minister for Planning Matthew Guy announced today that councils will be able to pay homage and tribute to these people, places and events by naming new suburbs across Melbourne through the Victorian Government’s ANZAC Commemorative Naming Project.

“Our state has a proud history of service, headlined by the 26 Victorians who have won the Victoria Cross for extreme acts of bravery under fire and the many thousands of Victorians who have served their country,” Mr Guy said.

“This naming project honours the significant contribution that everyday people have made to Australia’s military activities and our way of life.
It will also help these new suburbs maintain a connection with existing local communities.”

The ANZAC Commemorative Naming Project acknowledges Australia’s wartime service during the ANZAC centenary period (2014-2018) and next year’s 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.

“Every new suburb deserves its own identity but these new developments should also connect with the history of their local areas,” Mr Guy said.

“This project will provide suburbs with a unique identity and honour Victoria’s military history by applying locally generated ANZAC themed names to future precincts and precincts that have been planned but are yet to be developed.”

The Metropolitan Planning Authority will work in conjunction with growth area councils to provide suitable ANZAC names to be applied to precincts early in the planning stage.

Casey City Council has already provided ANZAC themed suggestions for two planned residential developments in Melbourne’s southeast, which will be known as McPherson and Croskell during the planning stage. The planned sites were previously known as Clyde East and Casey Central.

“Renaming Clyde East to McPherson recognises three members of the McPherson family who were born in the Clyde area and served in World War I,” Mr Guy said.

“The Croskell precinct recognises former Cranbourne soldier Athold Croskell, who also served in World War I and received a bravery award for his services.

“This is not about names on a map. This pays respect to our brave soldiers and ensures that their memory lives on in perpetuity for generations to come. A great day for Victoria and a great day for our ANZACs.”