Suburb boundaries identify, legally, the bottom line of the address for every block of land in the state. Input from local residents is the most important part of determining suburb and locality boundaries. This occurs at least twice before boundaries are formalised. Draft boundaries are prepared initially by the local council which displays them and invites comment from local residents. After a suitable period the council looks at the comments received and amends the draft boundaries according to the wishes of local residents.
Some councils then redisplay the draft from a further commentary period.
When the council is satisfied that its draft proposal properly represents local wishes, it submits the draft boundaries proposal to the Geographical Names Board which normally approves it without alteration. Local residents are again invited to comment on the proposal when the Board advises the proposed boundaries in the local newspaper. In some cases the Board needs to negotiate further with the local council as a result of correspondence received through its advertising. If this is the case, any amendment is advertised to allow further feedback. The Board will only finalise the boundaries, by notification in the Government Gazette, when it is sure that the boundaries truly reflect the feelings of the residents affected.