Community Geographic 2LDs

In November 2002, auDA announced that it would create eight new second level domains (2LDs) for Australian states and territories - act.au, nsw.au, nt.au, qld.au, sa.au, tas.au, vic.au, wa.au - in order to preserve Australian geographic names for use by the relevant community.

The proposed domain structure is placename.state/territory.au - for example, bathurst.nsw.au or ballarat.vic.au. Use of the domain names would be restricted to community website portals that reflect community interests, such as local business, tourism, historical information, special interest groups, and cultural events.

auDA made the decision to create community geographic 2LDs on the recommendation of the New Names Advisory Panel. See the Panel's report to the auDA Board, November 2002.

National Reference Group

auDA is committed to ensuring that the geographic 2LDs are implemented in a way that maximises their public appeal and utility, whilst still preserving their central community-based purpose.

auDA has therefore established a National Reference Group (NRG) comprising key stakeholders, including representatives of all levels of Australian government, to play a high-level policy advisory role during the implementation period.

Public Consultation

The NRG invites public comment on 2 consultation papers:

• Community Geographic 2LDs - Domain Name Policy Rules and Guidelines
• Community Geographic 2LDs - Registry / Registrar Options

If you would like to make a submission, please send it to:

Jo Lim
Chief Policy Officer
email: jo.lim@auda.org.au
fax: 03 9349 5711

The closing date for submissions HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 23 JANUARY 2004.

All submissions will be posted on the auDA website.

Public Submissions

The submissions listed below have been published without modification. The views expressed in the submissions are not necessarily the views of auDA or the National Reference Group.

• TONKIN, Bruce - received 23/01/04
• ONE CITY ONE SITE WORKING PARTY - received 23/01/04
• CLELAND, Chas - received 21/01/04
• BUTLER, David - received 16/01/04
• BAUERS, Sam - received 15/01/04
• TONKIN, Brian - received 11/01/04
• STEVENS, Sean - received 08/01/04
• JONES, Nathan - received 07/01/04
• GUNN, Graham - received 07/01/04
• ARDRON, Mitra - received 04/01/04
• LONGLEY, John - received 19/12/03

NRG Documents

• Minutes 18 November 2003
• Minutes 9 October 2003
• Minutes 29 August 2003
• Role of the NRG

One City One Site Pilot Project

Sponsored by the NSW Office of Information Technology and auDA, One City One Site is a pilot project to develop a gateway web structure for all communities, using geographic names.

The pilot aims to develop an appropriate best practice model for the implementation of community portals for NSW and Australia using a linked system of geographic domains, broadly based on the pioneering work of the One City One Site Working Party.

The structure aims to link all online communities using geographic names; eg: www.bathurst.nsw.au, back to a central state/territory based directory site, such as www.nsw.au, allowing simple and logical access to any community online.

The development of this model is a world first, creating a logical geographic portal structure, which can be used to create strong social, cultural and economic benefits for local communities.

More information about the pilot project is available here.

NRG Advisory Forum

The NRG intends to establish an Advisory Forum to assist in the discussion and development of national policy for the community geographic 2LD.

More information about the Advisory Forum will be provided shortly.

Updated: 27 January 2004