Masterton street names get thumbs-up

The naming of two new streets in Masterton has now been settled.

After standing the naming down at a committee meeting held late last month, Masterton District Council has now voted to accept the names John McDonald Mews and Tarata Grove for the two streets.

John McDonald Mews will service a new housing development off Casel St and Tarata Grove one off Rimu St.

Both names were put forward by developer David Borman but naming was suspended last month after the naming policy was questioned by some councillors and other names were bandied about.

On Wednesday the full council unanimously accepted the two names, although councillor Gary Caffell said while he was happy with the names he disagreed in principle that developers should have "any rights in naming new streets".

"That should be council's decision," Mr Caffell said.

He said people seemed to like the idea of naming streets after living people so those with a named street could enjoy the recognition.

At an earlier meeting Mr Caffell had suggested other names for Masterton streets recognising people such as former mayor Bob Francis and All Blacks great Sir Brian Lochore.

A small lane known as Francis Lane exists in Masterton but was a privately named roadway and did not involve council at all.

Councillor Graham McClymont said whereas he agreed the naming policy should be looked at in future, Mr Borman was doing "a lot of good around town" and in these two cases the names had been his choice and his money had resulted in the housing projects going ahead.

Councillor Pip Hannon said another way of recognising a person's contribution to the community was to nominate them for a civic award.

District Planner Sue Southey told councillors officers had taken a look at the name John McDonald Mews believing it could be too long to meet standards.

"But while it is long the standard is not mandatory so if council wants to have John McDonald Mews it can," Mrs Southey said.