The Geographical Names Board of NSW (GNB) has approved the proposal to rename the Illawarra suburb of Yellow Rock to Yellow Rock Ridge.
The name change will officially take place from 1 March 2024.
Kiama and Shellharbour Councils held community consultation in early 2023 before endorsing the proposal in September 2023.
The renaming of the suburb, which is located in both Kiama and Shellharbour City Council LGAs, is to remedy the duplication of the suburb name Yellow Rock with another Yellow Rock in the Blue Mountains.
The community consultation results provided evidence that members of the Yellow Rock community had experienced confusion and difficulties with the name duplication with the majority supporting the name change, Kiama Council said in a statement.
The GNB also sought community feedback on the proposal prior to deciding on the name change with Geographical Names Board Chair Narelle Underwood saying:
“It is important that place names reflect the character and history of the local area and community,” she said.
The Board also found many residents supported changing the suburb name, with a preference for Yellow Rock Ridge.
