The City of Greater Geelong has delayed a decision on a proposed naming policy after councillors voted to defer the matter until next month. The policy had been scheduled for consideration at the council’s meeting on Tuesday night but will now return for further discussion.

Under the proposed policy, Greater Geelong would give greater priority to names recognising Indigenous people, women and gender-diverse people when naming new council-owned assets. The proposal has generated discussion among councillors about how future names should be selected and the appropriate balance between historical recognition and community expectations.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the council needed additional time to discuss the proposal internally before making a final decision. He indicated that achieving complete agreement among councillors could be difficult, but said it was important that the issue received proper consideration.

The decision to defer the vote means the proposed policy will not take effect immediately. Councillors will have another opportunity to discuss the wording, objectives and potential implications before a future vote.

Naming public places and council assets can have a significant role in recognising the history and identity of a community. In Geelong, the issue also involves recognition of the region’s Aboriginal heritage and the contribution of people from different backgrounds.

Supporters of the proposed approach argue that public assets provide an opportunity to better reflect the diversity of the Greater Geelong community. Prioritising under-represented groups could result in more public places carrying names that recognise Indigenous people, women and gender-diverse community members.

However, the proposal has also prompted discussion about how naming decisions should be made and whether particular categories should receive priority. Councillors are expected to continue considering these issues before the matter returns to the chamber.

The delay provides council members with additional time to review the policy and discuss concerns before reaching a final position. It also gives the community more time to understand the proposed changes and their potential impact on future naming decisions.

The council has not yet set out a final date for the next vote beyond indicating that the policy is expected to return next month. Until then, existing naming arrangements remain in place.

The issue is likely to remain a topic of community interest as Greater Geelong continues to develop new infrastructure, public spaces and council assets. The eventual decision could influence how those places are named in the years ahead.

For now, the council’s decision is simply a postponement rather than a rejection of the proposed policy. Further internal discussion will take place before councillors reconsider the matter and determine whether the proposed naming framework should be adopted.