Port Macquarie-Hastings Council voted to name the Laurieton laneway south of Hanley Street, between Lord and Norman streets, as Kesby Lane.

The Camden Haven Historical Society submitted the name Kesby for the laneway.

Its latest submission called on the council to accept the wishes of Camden Haven locals and accept a formal resolution that this laneway be named Kesby Lane.

Camden Haven Historical Society president Phillip Bowman said the group was happy with the council's decision and it followed the trend of using historic names.

Mayor Peta Pinson, at the May council meeting, quoted a Camden Haven Historical Society submission when she outlined Walter's community contribution.

She described Walter, born in 1861, as a pioneer of the village.

Walter raised his family in the home he built on the corner of Norman and Hanley streets in Laurieton, the mayor said.

"Walter was a blacksmith and builder who worked in the local mill and other projects in the area," Cr Pinson said.

"Walter contributed to the growth of the village in the early 1900s and Walter's children married into other local families and have become part of the fabric of the local communities."

The mayor said Walter had a significant association with the lane as the first known resident in the vicinity and his contribution to the growing village life was important to the history of the village.

The Camden Haven Historical Society has also compiled an overview of Walter's history in Laurieton.

Walter took on community responsibilities, the document says, joining Mountain Home branch of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows and he also took over the trustee role for the recreation reserve.

Walter died in 1935 and his wife Emily passed away 18 years later.

The council considered Araucaria, in reference to the Norfolk Island Pine's botanical name, as well as Alice, after a vessel, as potential names for the laneway.

The council's road naming and renaming policy states the use of people's names are excluded as a source of road names.

A formal council resolution, in exceptional circumstances, is needed to name a road after a deceased person such as an early settler.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said she had no objection to the laneway being named Kesby Lane but she clarified the policy stated the Geographical Names Board's preference was that the council not name roads or places for historical figures.

"That is certainly the policy and how the staff addressed these matters," she said.

Cr Intemann said when it came to the floor at a council meeting, councillors could make a decision to name a road according to a historical figure.

Cr Peter Alley said it was part of a community's identity to understand where it had come from to guide us to make wise decisions in the future.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Bookmark our website

Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters

You can support us with a subscription

Follow us on Twitter: @portmacnews

Follow us on Instagram: @portmacnews

Follow us on Google News