FAQs
- Cambewarra: “mountain of fire”
- Bomaderry: “fighting ground” or “running water”
- Nowra: “camping place” or “black cockatoo”
- Worrigee: “peppermint tree”
- Numbaa: “broad-leafed tea-tree”
- Culburra: “sand”.
- Badagarang means Eastern Grey Kangaroo, which is a totem of the Dharawal people.
- Gumbeengang is the traditional name for Cambewarra Mountain.
Why is this land being developed?
The Moss Vale Road urban release areas (URAs) were identified as future growth areas in the Nowra Bomaderry Structure Plan, which was endorsed by the NSW Government in 2008. The areas were subsequently rezoned in 2014 to enable residential development and supporting commercial uses, with the combined URAs expected to provide approximately 3,500 new homes for the Nowra Bomaderry region. Early work has commenced on the delivery of the Moss Vale Road South URA, with major infrastructure works planned and a number of staged subdivision approvals in place. Detailed planning work is also currently being settled for the Moss Vale Road North URA. Further information on this process can be found on the Planning for Growth in Nowra Bomaderry Get Involved web page.
Why are Aboriginal words proposed?
The NSW Geographic Names Board’s Place Naming Policy indicates a preference for the use of traditional Aboriginal names for the naming of new places. This may be expressed through the use of traditional names for geographical features or places, or through other key connections to Country relating to the land’s ancestors, histories, law, and lore of its people.
The use of an Aboriginal name is also consistent with the names of many localities within Shoalhaven, for example:
What do the proposed names mean?
The two proposed names are traditional Aboriginal names of the Dharawal language group.
How were these names chosen?
A broad range of local history and Dharawal language resources were researched to create a shortlist of eleven (11) potential names in line with the NSW GNB’s Place Naming Policy. The shortlist also included some names that were put forward by local interest groups.
This shortlist was refined following feedback from the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) and NSW GNB to remove words that were deemed unsuitable or that did not pass the GNB’s initial ‘duplication’ test.
The two potential names of Badagarang and Gumbeengang were selected for their connection to the Dharawal people and to recognise the traditional name of nearby Cambewarra Mountain.
Can I suggest another name?
The two naming options have been selected in consultation with members of the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council, in line with the specific place-naming criteria set by the NSW GNB.
Alternative options are not being considered at this time. However, should there be overwhelming public objection to the two options presented, Council may consider investigating other options if appropriate.
Why does Council want to change the name now?
It is preferable for the new suburb name to be resolved early, prior to the registration of lots and the formation of new communities within the URAs, to minimise inconvenience for new and future residents.
I live on a rural property in the affected area. Will my address change as well?
The addresses of all properties within the subject area will change once the new suburb name is gazetted, even if the current landowner has no immediate plans to develop their land.
Will changing my suburb affect the value of my home or land?
The NSW GNB does not change the location of the property; it is amending the administrative suburb boundary. The value and character of an area evolves over time and is not dependent on suburb boundaries. Suburb boundaries were only formalised in the 1990s and were created to ensure unique addresses for service delivery and the provision of emergency services.
I bought my land with the understanding that it would be within in a particular estate. Is this different to a suburb?
Estate names are used as branding for developments, for example, Bayswood in Vincentia and Huntingdale Park in Berry. They are not suburb names and cannot be used for addressing. Suburb boundaries are determined by the GNB in consultation with Council.