If you have a look at Council branding, you will likely notice a discrepancy.
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While our local government is officially called the ‘Nambucca Shire Council’ our logo confuses the situation with another, more geographically representative, identity.
Last night council resolved to start the process towards a name change to eliminate our split corporate personalities.
By virtue of the fact that the Valley and its catchments “almost exactly match the local government area”, it was proposed by council staff that the Valley officially seek to change its name to ‘Nambucca Valley Council’.
In their reasoning, council staff noted the use of the word ‘shire’ was an anachronism. Shire, from the old English word ‘scir’, has been used for centuries in England to identify jurisdiction over a division of land.
“The word has less meaning for younger generations and with increasing urbanisation is less representative of the industries which drive our local economy,” Council staff said.
And it’s true, when walking around you can see a multitude of businesses with ‘Nambucca Valley’ in their moniker, but zero with ‘Nambucca Shire’.
Council staff also suggested that by bringing the name in line with our natural geographical boundary, it might put a stopper on the “oft held view that Councils’ administrative responsibilities equate to the town of Nambucca Heads”.
In order to make the change, Council will now seek the opinion of the community via public advertisements, questions included in the upcoming Customer Satisfaction Survey, and by emailing representative community groups such as the Chambers of Commerce and local Aboriginal Land Councils.