GNB Roles and Responsibilities
Functions of the GNB
The Board has the following powers and functions under s5 of the Act:
- to assign names to places,
- to approve that a recorded name of a place shall be its geographical name,
- to alter a recorded name or a geographical name,
- to determine whether the use of a recorded name or a geographical name shall be discontinued,
- to adopt rules of orthography, nomenclature and pronunciation with respect to geographical names,
- to investigate and determine—
- the form, spelling, meaning, pronunciation, origin and history of any geographical name, and
- the application of any geographical name with regard to position, extent or otherwise,
- to compile and maintain a vocabulary of Aboriginal words used or suitable for use in geographical names and to record their meaning and origin,
- to compile and maintain a register of geographical names with a record of their form, spelling, meaning, pronunciation, origin and history,
- to publish a gazetteer of geographical names, and
- to inquire into and make recommendations on any matters relating to the names of places referred to it by the Minister.
The board may compile, maintain and publish a list of road names.
Minister
The role and responsibilities of the Minister include:
- Send a notice seeking a nomination for an appointed member of the GNB to:
- the governing body of Local Government and Shires Association of New South Wales,
- the governing body of Royal Australian Historical Society,
- the governing body of Geographical Society of New South Wales,
- the NSW Aboriginal Land Council,
- the Chief Executive Officer of Multicultural NSW.
- Determine entitlements for board members attending meetings and transacting business of the board,
- Determine travel entitlements for board members and counsellors,
- Refer matters relating to the names of places to the board for advice,
- Review recommendations from the GNB on proposed place names that have received objections during public consultation period and make a final decision on whether the name will be officially assigned (with or without modification).
Chair of the GNB
The Chair is responsible for leading the activities of the GNB. The Chair’s responsibilities include:
- approving board meeting agendas and minutes
- presiding at board meetings and facilitating frank and open discussion
- liaising with the Minister and Secretary on matters regarding the GNB
- having a deliberative vote in the event of an equality of votes, a second or casting vote.
Deputy Chair of the GNB
The Deputy Chair’s responsibilities include:
- In the absence of the Chair, presiding at board meetings and facilitating frank and open discussion
- In the absence of the Chair, liaising with the Minister and Secretary on matters regarding the GNB.
Members of the GNB
Board members are responsible for:
- attending board meetings and participating in decision making processes
- confirming the draft minutes of board meetings
- undertaking research and liaison to support their participation in the discussion of agenda items
- abiding by the terms of the GNB Code of Conduct.
If a board member is unable to attend a meeting, the GNB Secretariat should be advised in advance of the meeting. In the case of illness or absence of any appointed member, the board may, by instrument in writing, appoint a deputy to act in the place of such member during his or her illness or absence. Board members will still receive access to papers if they are not attending the meeting.
If an appointed board member is absent from three consecutive meetings they may lose their position unless the board gave them leave or excuses their absences within five weeks after the last missed meeting.
Counsellors to the GNB
The board may, by instrument in writing, appoint counsellors to advise it on matters within its powers and functions.
The appointment of a counsellor shall be for such purpose or for such period as may be specified in the instrument by which he or she is appointed.
Counsellors are responsible for:
- attending board meetings and participating in discussions
- confirming the minutes of board meetings
- undertaking research and liaison to support their participation in the discussion of agenda items
- abiding by the terms of the GNB Code of Conduct.
If a Counsellor to the GNB is unable to attend a meeting, the GNB Secretariat should be advised in advance of the meeting. Counsellors to the GNB will still receive access to papers if they are not attending the meeting and may provide advice in writing prior to the meeting.
GNB Secretariat
The Place Names Manager holds primary responsibility for the board Secretariat function and supports effective governance of board operations, ensuring that board processes and procedures run efficiently including:
- execute all statutory and legislated responsibilities of the GNB as set out in the Act
- managing board processes, including developing board agendas in consultation with the and Deputy Surveyor-General and Director Survey Operations, for the approval of the Chair
- provision of timely and effective board agendas and board papers
- co-ordinating, organising and attending meetings of the board
- ensuring the business at the board meeting is appropriately captured in the meeting minutes
- maintaining all Board minutes and decision/actions registers
- providing advice to the board on governance matters
- organising and facilitating appointment of members and counsellors to the board
- organising and facilitating the induction of members upon their appointment to the board
- developing and maintaining a range of collaborative networks across all levels of government, private sector organisations and the community, and participate in discussions and committees to ensure fit-for purpose place naming in NSW
- representing NSW and the GNB on the relevant committees and at related forums, working groups, inter-agency committees, conferences and workshops
- working with the Chair and Deputy Surveyor-General and Director Survey Operations, to establish and deliver best practice governance.
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