The City of Ballarat is calling for submissions regarding proposed names for 10 unnamed roads within the Ballarat Airport Precinct.
The 55 buildings on these roads currently have unique building reference numbers. However, this addressing format can be confusing given the number of properties. The proposed road names will provide accurate street addresses for the buildings within the precinct.
The proposed names were compiled in conjunction with the Ballarat Airport Manager, the Ballarat Airport Stakeholder Reference Group and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Many of the proposed road names are steeped in the history of the region and the airport precinct. They are as follows:
- Consolidated Road – a type of heavy American bomber that frequented the Ballarat aerodrome for crew training in the early 1940’s.
- Kitty Hawk Road – a well-known single seat aircraft that was effective for RAAF fighters throughout the fighting at Port Moresby and Milne Bay in 1942 during World War II. These battles prevented the advancement of Japan towards Australia.
- Winmaling Circuit (pronounced Win-mar-ling) – the Wadawurrung word for ‘wind’. This name is supported by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
- Terminal Road – an appropriate name for an access road to terminal buildings at an airport.
- Fairbairn Road – Wing Commander Charles Osborne Fairbairn served as a fighter pilot in the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and afterwards in the Royal Air Force, where he was awarded the Air Force Cross. He served as the Commanding Officer of No 1 Wireless Air Gunners School in Ballarat and transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve of Officers in 1944. He was responsible for the daily operations of the training school and the welfare of the trainees. He fostered positive relations between the air base and the Ballarat Community.
- Cheetah Road – the Cheetah engine was designed by Armstrong Siddeley in 1930, evolving from the seven-cylinder Lynx radial of 1920. The engine was primarily used on pre-war British military aircraft, including the Arvo Anson monoplane bomber which in 1935 was Britain’s’ first twin engine aircraft with retractable undercarriage.
- Wireless Drive – the Wireless Air Gunners School was based at Ballarat Airport during World War II.
- Empire Drive – the Empire Air Training Scheme, as it was known when it was operated by the Royal Australian Air Force, is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
- Petch Drive – Flying Officer Francis Noel Miller Petch was born and educated in Ballarat and wanted to join the air force from a young age. He enlisted in the Royal Australia Air Force in 1942 and was posted to the No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School. He was discharged from the Royal Australia Air Force in 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer.
- Gunners Drive – the Wireless Air Gunners School was based at Ballarat Airport during World War II.
The City of Ballarat is encouraging community members to make submissions to oppose or support the proposed road names. If the proposed name is not supported, community members must indicate why and/or demonstrate why the proposal does not conform to .
There are two ways for community members to submit submissions to the City of Ballarat.
- Online survey – there is a of the City of Ballarat website where community members can make submissions.
- Written submissions – written submissions quote number ‘NP235 – BALLARAT AIRPORT PRECINCT’ should be addressed to the Manager Revenue and Procurement Services and can be mailed to ‘Reply Paid 655 BALLARAT VIC 3353’, or emailed to [email protected].
Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 13 January 2023. After the consultation phase, a report will be considered by City of Ballarat councilors.
