Community
19 December, 2025
Input sought on suburb names
SHOULD Warrnambool’s informal neighbourhood names become official suburbs?
And should future growth areas have unique locality names?
The Warrnambool City Council is seeking community feedback to determine whether there is support to begin a Locality Names Review in 2026.
Locality names are the official suburb names used for addresses.
The Warrnambool City Council comprises seven official localities - Warrnambool, Allansford, Bushfield, Dennington, Illowa, Woodford and Yangery.
Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain said the survey was not the review itself, but would help council understand the views of the community before deciding whether the project should progress.
“Part of being a growing city is making sure our locality names still reflect what’s best for our community,” he said.
“A full review is a detailed process, so before we go down that road, we want to understand whether the community supports it, and what people would want it to consider.
“Should new locality names only apply to future growth areas? Or should places like Merrivale become official suburbs too?
“Part of the survey asks which locality you live in and how you’d describe the boundaries of your neighbourhood. For example, where does North Warrnambool end and East Warrnambool start?”
Cr Blain said a Locality Names Review could have practical benefits, while also strengthening local identity.
“There are potential benefits for emergency services and other organisations like Australia Post in having more clearly defined locality boundaries,” he said.
“It’s also about community pride and recognising well-known neighbourhood names while helping newly built parts of Warrnambool develop their own sense of identity.
“We will use the feedback to determine whether there is community support to start a Locality Names Review. If that’s the case, then there will be more opportunities for people to have their say as part of the review process.”
You can take the survey at www.yoursaywarrnambool.com.au.
Hard copies are also available at the Civic Centre, 25 Liebig Street.
The survey will close on Friday January 16, 2026.
