Gunnedah Shire Council puts forward joint name honouring two respected identities for $61 million overpass bridge

Gunnedah Shire councillors voted on Wednesday night to put forward 'Reginald Talbot and Doc Anderson Bridge' as the preferred name for the piece of infrastructure.

But, if a joint name is not appropriate, councillors decided the bridge should be named Reginald Talbot Bridge. The final call will be made by Transport for NSW.

Local Aboriginal elder, Reginald (Dick) Talbott, was instrumental in helping to establish Aboriginal organisations within the community, while doctor Colin Anderson delivered more than 3500 babies during his 47 years in the town.

"I think it's most appropriate to have an Indigenous person in the name because some 13 per cent of Gunnedah's population identify as Indigenous and yet we have very few - if any - public buildings named after an Indigenous citizen or former citizen," said Cr Owen Hasler, who voted in support of a joint name.

READ ALSO:

"At the same time we did have a number of people from our community nominate other people, one of them is doctor Colin Anderson.

"He was very well known and respected in the community, and a member of many organisations including the RSL Sub Branch and a foundation member of Rotary, the show society and the band."

Nancy Small was also a popular choice among locals and Cr Hasler agreed her contribution to local wildlife should be recognised, but suggested the town's proposed new koala sanctuary be named after the wildlife warrior instead.

Transport for NSW will now decide on the two options council has put forward. It will also fund and install signs containing the new name on both bridge approaches.

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: