Community to be consulted on selecting a name for the New Dubbo Bridge
Transport for NSW has started an extensive community consultation process to select a name for the New Dubbo Bridge.
Transport will work closely with Dubbo Regional Council and the Dubbo community to find a name that celebrates the city’s culture and history.
Transport for NSW Regional Director West Alistair Lunn said naming a key piece of infrastructure such as the New Dubbo Bridge provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity to leave an unforgettable legacy on Dubbo and surrounds.
“The opportunity to name a new bridge such as this not only provides a useful navigational reference for motorists but also allows the community to recognise and celebrate cultural, historical and social connections in the region,” Mr Lunn said.
“Dubbo Regional Council resolved in November 2023 that its preferred name would be a First Nations name relevant to the location and/or function of the bridge such as a crossing place on a river.
“Transport supports council’s resolution to recognise the significance of First Nations heritage in Dubbo and surrounds and to celebrate the considerable First Nations participation on the New Dubbo Bridge project.
“To start the naming process, Transport will work closely with the local First Nations community to gather suggestions for appropriate Wiradjuri names for the bridge.
“A panel of local First Nations representatives will then determine a shortlist of Wiradjuri names through a fair and transparent assessment process.
“Next, Transport will invite the wider community to provide feedback on the shortlisted Wiradjuri names and/or make other suggestions.”
Following the consultation, Transport will prepare a comprehensive consultation report for Dubbo Regional Council’s consideration. Council will endorse a proposed bridge name and recommend it to Transport.
Transport will approve the name recommended by council provided it has community support, is consistent with the NSW Geographical Names Board naming guidelines, and meets Transport's signage requirements.
“It is Transport’s position that council, as elected representatives of the community they serve, is best placed to recommend a suitable name from the suggestions received during community consultation,” Mr Lunn said.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Mathew Dickerson encouraged the community to take an active role in the consultation process to find a name for the New Dubbo Bridge.
“A suitable name for the New Dubbo Bridge is out there and we are looking forward to hearing what ideas our community has for this piece of infrastructure,” Cr Dickerson said.
The New Dubbo Bridge is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
More information on the New Dubbo Bridge project is available on the Transport for NSW website.
The name game: A step-by-step guide
• Transport for NSW to engage with the local First Nations community seeking suggestions of appropriate First Nations (Wiradjuri) names for the New Dubbo Bridge.
• A panel of local First Nations representatives to determine a shortlist of Wiradjuri names through a fair and transparent assessment process.
• Transport to invite the wider community to provide feedback on the shortlisted Wiradjuri names and/or make other suggestions.
• Transport to ask First Nations representatives to assess any further First Nations names suggested during community consultation.
• Transport to collate all suggestions and a summary of the feedback from the First Nations and wider community consultation including preferred names into a consultation report for Dubbo Regional Council's consideration.
• Council to endorse a proposed name for the bridge and then recommend that bridge name to Transport.
• Transport to approve the name recommended by Council provided it has community support, is consistent with the NSW Geographical Names Board guidelines, and complies with Transport's signage requirements.
• Approved bridge name to be jointly announced.