History

The auDA Board approved the release of the geographical domain names for community websites use based on recommendations by the New Names Advisory Panel (NNAP).  The New Names Advisory Panel was appointed by the auDA Board in June 2002 to evaluate proposals for new second level domains (2LDs) in the .au domain. The Panel completed its work in March 2003.

auDA’s decision to release geographical domain names specifically for community websites for and run by the community is a world first.

The NNAP based their recommendations on the proposal by the One City One Site (OCOS) working party and the results of public consultation where there was an overwhelming majority of strong support. 

The OCOS working party was formed in 2000 and proposed the release of new geographical 2LDs as a fair and equitable domain name system for reservation, and restricted use, that protects and promotes the geographical area and its community.

A pilot implementation was carried out by OCOS in 3 localities:  Ballarat, Bathurst and Wollongong and reviewed by Enterprise Technologies and Human Orientated Systems (ETHOS) laboratory at the University of Wollongong who have been actively involved in the study of community websites and has published at several international conferences on the topic. 

The Community Website Groups formed by Ballarat, Bathurst and Wollongong in the pilot study have had their CGDN applications approved and have received early release of their CGDN licences in recognition for all their work and support.

Bathurst launched their community website on 7th April, 2006:  www.bathurst.nsw.au , Wollongong launched their website on 17th May, 2006:  www.wollongong.nsw.au and Ballarat launched their community website on 26th July, 2006:  www.ballarat.vic.au