Faith Bandler speaks at the bicentennial event in 1970. Photo: Mitchell Library.

Two new suburbs to be built in the Molonglo Valley have been named after prominent Australians Faith Bandler and Sir John Sulman.

Planning Minister Chris Steel said the new suburbs would be part of the Molonglo Valley 3 East development, the next major phase of suburban development in the area, bringing the total number of suburbs in the district to seven.

Mr Steel said Bandler would be the first suburb to be developed, located east of Whitlam, on the other side of John Gorton Drive.

“Naming suburbs and other places across Canberra is a wonderful opportunity to honour the memories of influential people from all walks of life and their significant contribution to our community,” Mr Steel said.

“Each suburb in the ACT has a theme that is used to name streets within it. In Bandler’s case, the theme will be ‘Australian Social and Cultural Life’ and in Sulman it will be ‘Humanities and Social Sciences’.”

Ida Lessing Faith Bandler was a human rights activist, social justice advocate and author who contributed to raising public awareness and understanding of South Sea Islander, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage and women’s issues.

Sir John Sulman was an architect and urban planner who helped shape Canberra in its early development and influenced the city’s design. In 1924 he was created a Knight Bachelor of the British Empire in recognition of his influence and contribution to architecture.

The indicative map shows the new suburbs of Sulman and Bandler in Molonglo. Photo: ACT Government.

Ms. Bandler’s daughter, assistant professor Lilon Bandler, said her mother dedicated her life to fighting for equality and justice.

“She demonstrated an unwavering commitment to civil rights and social reform that left an indelible mark on our history,” she said.

“We are thrilled to see her legacy honoured by the naming of a new suburb in Canberra, a city she visited many, many times.

“As her daughter, I feel it is particularly fitting that the Bandler Division will be located alongside the Whitlam Division. My mother often spoke of the importance of visionary leadership in creating social change.

“The naming is a tribute to her long-standing commitment to creating a more just and inclusive world.”

Emeritus Professor David Carment, Sir John’s great-grandson, said members of the extended Sulman family were delighted that he had been honoured so appropriately.

“He deserves this recognition for his significant contribution to Australia as an architect, patron of the arts, town planner and writer, and in particular for his key role in the development of Canberra,” he said.

“He was the unpaid but energetic chairman of the Federal Capital Advisory Committee from 1921 to 1924. The committee’s plan was adopted as a model for the development of the nation’s capital, which continues to shape the city today. Sulman was also closely involved in the design of the Mediterranean-style Civic Center buildings.”

Mr Steel said another subdivision was planned in the Molonglo area.

He said the growing population in the precinct justified reclassifying the Molonglo Shopping Centre as a town centre.

“The NCA is currently considering this issue,” he said.

The ACT Place Names Advisory Committee welcomes name suggestions and feedback from the Canberra community.

For more information about how place names are given and how to submit feedback, visit the Place Names page on ACT Planning.