When the Victorian Government launched Our Equal State: Victoria’s Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan 2023–27, it marked a transformative milestone. The introduction of Australia’s first gender equality target for geographic place naming — that 70% of all new commemorative names honour women — isn’t just a policy directive; it’s a bold statement of intent. It signals trust in Victorians, and especially in the local government and development sectors, to drive cultural change across our landscape.

This isn’t just about naming streets. It’s about making women visible in the places we live, work and play, and it calls for a new kind of partnership — one that brings together councils, developers, planners, artists, and community voices.

New Subdivisions: A Golden Opportunity

Over the next three years, Victoria is expected to name approximately 6,000 new places. This unprecedented scale of development presents a rare and powerful opportunity: to embed gender equality and commemorate women — particularly women from diverse backgrounds — into the very fabric of our communities.

Could new subdivisions be the golden ticket to achieving equality in both place naming and public art?

That was the core question posed at our second Leadership and Big Ideas Forum, held on International Women’s Day 2025. With over 250 registrations, it was an energising exchange of ideas, challenges, and forward-thinking strategies from a panel of experts and an engaged community of changemakers. Here’s a taste of the inspiration that flowed:

Bright Ideas, Bold Voices

Partnerships That Work

The forum surfaced real challenges — from resistance to commemorative naming due to time pressures, to lack of awareness about the significance of name choices in master planning. But just as importantly, we heard from those who are already making it work.

One developer noted:

And from a council perspective:

Strategy documents that link names to local history, access to public resources like the 1891 Victorian Women’s Suffrage Petition, and community engagement tools are also proving to be game-changers.

Looking Ahead: From Vision to Action

The work doesn’t end with the forum. In a promising sign of what’s possible, project consultant Kerry Wilson recently facilitated a collaboration between a local government and a developer to map future street and park names using a council name bank. These names — prioritising Indigenous language and women’s contributions — may not be seen on signs for another 5 to 10 years, but the strategic foresight is already paving the way for a more inclusive and respectful landscape.

Your Role in the Movement

This is a shared journey. Whether you’re in local government, urban planning, property development, or community advocacy — you have a role to play in shaping a public realm that reflects our shared history and values. Let’s break down the barriers, celebrate small wins, build awareness, and include more people — especially men — in this conversation.

The time for commemorative justice is now. Let’s be bold. Let’s act. And most importantly, let’s #PutHerNameOnIt.

Explore resources and tools to support your work here:

https://www.genvic.org.au/phnoi-about/

Thank you to our event partners – Victorian Government, UDIA Vic, PIA Women’s Planning Network, Her Place Womens Museum Australia and everyone who contributed to the forum and continues to lead this vital work.