Page 2251 - Week 06 - Thursday, 6 June 2019
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Today I am tabling the findings of the final review report as well as providing the government’s response to the recommendations of the review. I would now like to address the outcomes and recommendations of the review and announce that the ACT government will be accepting and implementing all of those recommendations.
Generally, the review found that the current system and processes for naming public places in the ACT are robust and thorough. The review recognises that the ACT Place Names Committee performs an important research and advisory role in the naming of public places. The review recognises that the work of the committee has been well received by the community and that current naming procedures have not resulted in any place names that do not meet with community standards of a modern, inclusive and progressive Canberra.
However, the final review report identifies a number of options and opportunities to improve the processes for naming public places in the territory. The review also identifies opportunities to increase community input and involvement in the place naming process. The review identifies ways to make it easier and clearer for members of the community to raise concerns with the committee to identify instances where the naming of a place has caused hurt or distress to our community.
There are some key recommendations from the review that I would like to highlight, and ask that these be implemented as a matter of priority by the Place Names Committee and the place names unit within EPSDD. First, the public place names guidelines will be updated to require the committee to consider current community standards before naming a place after a person. It is important that the commemoration of people who have made a strong contribution to the territory is consistent with our values and community standards of conduct.
I request that the committee implements the recommendations to increase community input opportunities in the place naming process from the selection of themes for new divisions to inviting community feedback on proposed names. I will also be asking the committee and the directorate to improve the place names website to make it easier for the community to provide feedback in relation to proposed and existing names.
I will also be implementing the recommendation to update the terms of reference of the committee to establish a clear mandate and responsibility for the committee to advise me on contentious names and places that are issued, including where commemoration of particular names may no longer represent community standards.
Specifically, the committee will develop a feedback and complaints process and publish it on the place names website. The process will detail how a member of the community can provide feedback and provide an easy-to-use online portal. Where feedback relates to an existing name, I have asked the committee and the directorate to update the existing renaming policy to provide further criteria to assist the community in providing relevant information for the committee’s consideration and providing the criteria against which the committee will assess community proposals.
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