Perth Voice Interactive

AFTER all but running out of WWI soldiers to name roads after, Bayswater council is seeking out-of-the-box and abstract ideas for naming untitled laneways. 

With more blocks being subdivided in recent years, the old rights of way that were once just seldom-used service alleys are increasingly serving as main addresses.

The occasionally life-threatening problems linked to living where the streets have no names came to light earlier this year when Maylands resident Peta Illich contacted the council saying, “I have had to call an ambulance on several occasions; issues have arisen when our right-of-way was difficult to find”. 

Getting a name approved by Landgate is a lengthy process with many exacting requirements, so to save time Bayswater had been using a list of pre-approved names.

Many of those were WWI veterans, and as of this year there were only two left on the list: Ginger and Kuser, both soldiers.

During public consultation over what to call Ms Illich’s laneway, those names proved unpopular with a majority of submissions. One commenter said, “there are enough white European male road/street names” (“Street names too blokey,” Voice, June 3, 2023).

Public comment is now open to come up with a new list of pre-approved names to quickly label a street whenever a request arises, and along with the usual surnames they’ve got some more avant-garde categories of acceptable names this time.

Acceptable name categories include Noongar language that’s relevant to the area, prominent Bayswater identities (dead only), historic local businesses, native flora and fauna, or a culturally significant historic event, architectural style, artwork, or some other local cultural icon.

Submissions are via engage.bayswater.wa.gov.au/naming-register or hard copies in the Bayswater, Morley and Maylands libraries, and close September 4. The Illich’s laneway remains untitled for now.

by DAVID BELL