FAQs
What does the decision include?
To name an undersea geographical feature ‘Monument Reef’.
Where is the reef located?
The reef is an undersea feature that is approximately 500m tall, 300m long, 50m wide and 40m below water. It is 70km northeast of the Lockhart River and 2.6km north-northeast of Northern Small Detached Reef. Decision Plan QPN1425 is a map showing the feature’s location.
It is located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) on the outer edge of the reef, just within Queensland waters. The current zoning of this portion of the GBRMP is Habitat Protection Zone.
Where did the place name suggestion come from?
The suggestion to name the reef was made by James Cook University. The name Monument Reef represents the towering limestone monolith that rises high up from a deep-sea platform that extends out from the edge of the northern Great Barrier Reef.
How was the reef discovered?
The unnamed reef was discovered by a team of scientists from James Cook University which conducted underwater mapping of the northern Great Barrier Reef seafloor. On 26 October 2020 the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s underwater robot SuBastian dived to the reef. More information about the dive can be found on Schmidt Ocean Institute’s website and YouTube channel.
How are places named?
Consistent and accurate place names are the basis of a number of vital activities, including map production, communication services, population censuses and statistics, postal addresses, and emergency and postal services.
Because of this, Queensland follows strict place naming guidelines and processes. Place naming is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development which administers the Place Names Act 1994.
Learn more through this step-by-step guide. (Suggesting a place name or boundary change | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au))
How are places named?
Consistent and accurate place names are the basis of a number of vital activities, including map production, communication services, population censuses and statistics, postal addresses, and emergency and postal services.
Because of this, Queensland follows strict place naming guidelines and processes. Place naming is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development which administers the Place Names Act 1994.
Learn more through this step-by-step guide.
Place Names can also play an important role in the recognition of Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander People’s culture and history. Many places across Queensland are derived from First Nations languages.
Who can I contact if I want to discuss further?
Please contact the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development via email at QldPlaceNames@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au
Alternatively, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au for more information.