LAKE Macquarie City Council is seeking community feedback on a plan to name a suburb Lake Macquarie.
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There are three options up for discussion.
All three options for the proposed suburb include the former Pasminco smelter site in Boolaroo, in the city's north.
That site is soon to become home to hundreds of residents, and it has been earmarked to house major retails chains such as IKEA and Costco.
Option 1 includes the former Pasminco development site and Munibung Road extension, Cockle Creek train station, Bunnings, and the northern parts of Munibung Hill.
Option Two would see the newly-named suburb take in all areas in Option 1, plus Bunderra Estate, the employment land between TC Frith Avenue and Cockle Creek, as well as Speers Point Park and the Lake Macquarie Football Facility.
Option 3 would include all areas in Option 1 and Option 2 plus land around The Weir Road between Teralba and Barnsley, and existing residential and commercial areas in Boolaroo.
Council's integrated planning manager, Wes Hain, said a Lake Macquarie suburb could reinforce the city's identity and strengthen the community's sense of place.
"Council has recognised for some time the value in creating a suburb called Lake Macquarie," Mr Hain said.
"In a practical sense, it may reduce confusion between Lake Macquarie and Port Macquarie."
The postcode for the Lake Macquarie suburb would likely be 2284 - the same as Boolaroo and Speers Point.
A feedback portal is now live at shape.lakemac.com.au/suburb.
Residents are encouraged to nominate which option they prefer, or provide alternative suggestions.
Council can consider endorsing a proposal to change a suburb's name or bestow a new name on an area, but the final decision rests with the Geographical Names Board.
Opponents of the plan say that having a suburb called Lake Macquarie would cause confusion. They argue it won't be clear when "Lake Macquarie" is mentioned if it's the suburb, city, or estuary that's being referred to.
The next drop-in information session on the proposal will be held at the Lake Macquarie Farmers Markets, at Speers Point Park, on Saturday, March 28, from 7.30am to 10.30am.
