FAQs
What does the proposal include?
The Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development is considering a proposal to name a newly discovered undersea geographical feature ‘Monument Reef’.
Where did the place name suggestion come from?
The suggestion to name the newly discovered reef was made by James Cook University, choosing the name Monument Reef to represent 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 found as a team of scientists from James Cook University conducted underwater mapping of the northern Great Barrier Reef seafloor. A live dive was then broadcast on 26 October 2020 using Schmidt Ocean Institute’s underwater robot SuBastian on Schmidt Ocean Institute’s website and YouTube channel.
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 lies 70km northeast of Lockhart River and 2.6km north-northeast of Northern Small Detached Reef. Proposal 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.
Is there an existing First Nations name?
Traditional Owners have confirmed that they have no existing First Nations name for the reef or area of waters in which it is located.
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.
Why should I get involved?
Your feedback helps the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development to ensure that any change will reflect the expectation of interested parties.
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@resources.qld.gov.au.
Alternatively, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development for more information.