Local George Avard has argued the case for a new Gunnedah street to be named after his late mother, Vera Joan.
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Mr Avard applied to Gunnedah Shire Council for two streets in a new residential subdivision off Kamilaroi Road to be named after his parents - Raymond Thomas and Vera Joan - but initially only his father's name was accepted.
The council initially recommended one road be named Avard Close and the second road name be selected from council's Public Infrastructure Names Register but after further information from Mr Avard, both of the proposed names were endorsed by council.
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The proposed road names will go on public display for 28 days and, if there are no objections, will go on the Geographical Names Board of NSW for a final decision.
Mr Avard, the property developer, raised the issue at Wednesday's ordinary council meeting, saying the civil works of the subdivision had been completed 18 months ago but they had "struck a hurdle" with the road names.
"I want to name it after our mother and father because they owned the land," Mr Avard said.
"[The council] would accept my father's name but would not accept my mother's name.
"When asked why - this is what got my hackles up - the reason was just that it didn't meet the criteria for justification."
I want to name it after our mother and father because they owned the land.
- George Avard
The NSW Addressing User Manual states in part that "names of early settlers, war servicemen and women, and other persons who have contributed to the heritage of an area, local history themes, flora, fauna, ships etc are usually most suitable for applying to roads".
Mr Avard said his mother had lived in Gunnedah most of her life and supported his father in all of his community activities. She had also been involved in VIEW club, Meals on Wheels, school P&C and the land army.
"She worked her bones out to enable him to do what he did," he said.
Cr Colleen Fuller said she knew Mrs Avard when she was growing up and that she had contributed to the community. She moved that the proposed road names be Vera Joan Close (road one) and Raymond Thomas Road (road two). This was seconded by councillor David Moses and the vote was unanimous.
