UPDATE: 6:22PM 17 September 2026 - Path forward

Hi All,

Excuse the period of silence, however I now have an update to provide.

Through extensive consultation with Council and Geographic Names Victoria (GNV), it has been determined that the use of the suburb name "Yarras Edge" will not be supported due to factors previously communicated. The main objection is regarding the duplication of the geographic descriptor "Yarra" which they say would cause confusion and this cannot be overlooked. If a new identity is to be adopted then it needs to be clear, distinctive and distinguishable from others.

This decision by Geographic Names Victoria (GNV) should not discourage us or suggest our initiative is without hope. In fact, the specific proposed name of Yarras Edge is the main stumbling block to successfully establishing a new identity.

While the name Yarras Edge is no longer viable, the bigger picture and main objectives which we seek to achieve remain the same and within reach:

• To break away from Docklands, an identity that no longer serves our community's best interests
• To form our own new suburb with a new name and postcode to uniquely denote it
• To have a unique identity and suburb name that best represents the suburb along the river, south of Docklands and forming the first part of the new Fishermans Bend precinct

Some people may suggest just using South Melbourne (too big and too far away), or Port Melbourne (too big already and soon Fishermans Bend will be in between) or South Wharf (further up the river and associated with Jeff's shed and DFO). But none of these serve the community's interests or change anything and won't be supported by City of Melbourne or Geographic Names Victoria (GNV). If we truly want to achieve our objectives listed above, then that can only be achieved with a new name and postcode.

Despite my exhaustive efforts to use Yarras Edge, given that it is no longer an option I am now proposing an alternative name that I firmly believe, after consulting with all affected parties, best fits our requirements and checks all the boxes. The proposed name, "Lorimer Point", is derived partially from the Fishermans Bend precinct masterplan locality name "Lorimer" and street name down by the river, but tweaked to specifically highlight the geographic location at the "point" of the river by Lorimer street.

Lorimer Point has the unusual combination of being locally defensible, geographically meaningful, easy to pronounce, unique, distinctive, and premium-sounding without sounding manufactured. A prestigious Melbourne waterfront address that in the next 10-20 years will be just as highly sought after and respected as any other blue chip area in Melbourne now.

This name has characteristics you see, for example, in Sydney's blue-chip waterfront suburbs. Names that tend to be short, distinctive and geographically grounded: Point Piper, Vaucluse, Darling Point, Rose Bay, Double Bay, Mosman, Watsons Bay, Kirribilli, and Bellevue Hill. Sydney's prestige property market demonstrates how powerful simple, established locality names can become when combined with scarce waterfront geography.

The City of Melbourne and Geographic Names Victoria (GNV) are willing to consider this option, and if it meets their guidelines it may receive in-principle approval to use this name, that's also if the community endorses it.

Additionally, a new post code is a decision for Australia Post which can be put forward to them after a new name is decided.

I am therefore now seeking support from the community to put forward the name Lorimer Point, 3007 as the preferred name and postcode to replace Docklands, 3008 as a newly seceded suburb. The proposed area would essentially be the current "Yarras Edge" area by the river + the proposed "Lorimer" precinct, the West Gate Freeway,  up to the Bolte Bridge, the Yarra River and up to South Wharf DFO boundary.

We now have a possible path forward.

I welcome your feedback and support.

Regards,

Sam Aftasi