Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) (Naming of David Evans Drive) Instrument 2025
I, Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories make the following notifiable instrument.
Dated 25 November 2025
Kristy McBain
Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories
Contents
1 Name
2 Commencement
3 Authority
4 Definitions
5 Determination of road name
Appendix 1— Map of David Evans Drive
Appendix 2 – Origin and Significance of David Evans Drive
1 Name
This instrument is the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) (Naming of David Evans Drive) Instrument 2025.
2 Commencement
This instrument commences the day after it is registered.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under subsection 12(1) of the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) Ordinance 2022.
4 Definitions
In this instrument:
Ordinance means the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) Ordinance 2022.
5 Determination of road name
- Pursuant to subsection 12(1) of the Ordinance, I determine the road name of the area as shown in Appendix 1 to be David Evans Drive.
- The origin and significance of David Evans Drive is described in Appendix 2.
Appendix 1— Map Naming of David Evans Drive
Appendix 2 – Origin and Significance of David Evans Drive
NAME | ORIGIN | SIGNIFICANCE |
David Evans Drive | Air Marshal Selwyn David Evans | Air Marshall Selwyn David Evans AC, DSO, AFC enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1943 and served with distinction for more than 40 years. Rising to the position of Chief of Air Staff from 1982 to 1985, his leadership was pivotal in the modernisation of the RAAF and its strategic direction. Beyond his command, he was a respected writer and defence consultant. Evans played an essential role in shaping Australia’s defence and aviation policies, advocating for technological innovation and operational excellence. After he retired from the RAAF, Evans became a key figure in the Canberra community, serving as Chair of the National Capital Authority (NCA) from 1997 until 2003, where his leadership ensured that the City continued to grow with a strong respect for its historical significance and urban planning. From 1999 until 2003, he was the National President of the Royal United Services Institute Australia. His work on Canberra’s urban design and focus on the region’s long term development left a lasting imprint on the City’s infrastructure and cultural landscape. |
Overview
The Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) (Naming of David Evans Drive) Instrument 2025 was enacted to formally recognise and honour the contributions of Air Marshal Selwyn David Evans. The instrument was introduced to address the need for recognising notable figures who have significantly contributed to the development and defence of Australia. It was made under subsection 12(1) of the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) Ordinance 2022 by Kristy McBain, the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. The policy objective is to commemorate distinguished individuals who have played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's history and urban landscape. The instrument officially designates a road in the Australian Capital Territory as David Evans Drive, in honour of Air Marshal Evans' distinguished service and his impactful role in the modernisation of the Royal Australian Air Force and in the development of Canberra.
Scope and Application
The Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) (Naming of David Evans Drive) Instrument 2025 applies specifically to the renaming of a road within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) as David Evans Drive, in honour of Air Marshal Selwyn David Evans AC, DSO, AFC. This instrument is made under the authority of the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) Ordinance 2022 and commences on the day after its registration. The instrument is limited in scope to the renaming of a specific road area as indicated in Appendix 1, which includes a map of the area to be renamed. The instrument identifies no exclusions or exemptions and does not extend its application beyond the renaming of the specified road. The significance of David Evans, particularly his contributions to the Royal Australian Air Force and his later role in shaping Canberra's urban development, is outlined in Appendix 2, providing context for the renaming decision.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) (Naming of David Evans Drive) Instrument 2025 are straightforward and include the name of the instrument, its commencement date, the authority under which it is made, definitions, and the determination of the road name. The instrument, as noted in section 1, is titled the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) (Naming of David Evans Drive) Instrument 2025. Section 2 states that the instrument will commence the day after it is registered. Section 3 specifies that it is made under subsection 12(1) of the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) Ordinance 2022, while section 4 provides a definition for the term "Ordinance" as used within the instrument, clarifying that it refers to the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) Ordinance 2022. Finally, section 5 determines the road name, officially naming the area as David Evans Drive, as depicted in Appendix 1, and provides background information on David Evans in Appendix 2.
The Act imposes several obligations on the entities and individuals it governs. Firstly, the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain, is responsible for making the determination of the road name as per section 5. This act is governed by the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) Ordinance 2022, which sets the framework for how such determinations can be made. The document also serves to commemorate Air Marshal Selwyn David Evans by officially naming the road in his honour, thereby ensuring that his contributions to the Royal Australian Air Force and the Canberra community are recognised.
In terms of consequences, the instrument itself does not explicitly outline any offences, penalties, or specific consequences for non-compliance. However, the underlying Ordinance, the Australian Capital Territory (National Memorials, Territory Divisions and Public Places) Ordinance 2022, may contain provisions related to the enforcement of such determinations. Typically, failure to comply with such legislative instruments could result in civil or administrative penalties as outlined in the Ordinance. While the specific penalties are not detailed within this particular instrument, it is important to refer to the Ordinance for any applicable penalties or enforcement mechanisms.