A "clerical error" in a letter sent by council, during a changeover to a new rural address system in 2003, meant residents were told the road was Navigators Road. But as reported in the Express Telegraph on August 10, the council recently installed signs, calling the area Ballarat-Navigators Road. For the road's 27 residents, this would have amounted to a second change of address in seven years.

Faced with a community outcry, the council last week decided to let residents retain the Navigators Road address.

Mr Austin, who runs a small business from his property, said it was a good outcome which had saved him a "lot of money and hassle". "When you work to the last second of the day, you just don't have the time to go to these departments changing your paperwork. Some people don't believe that you are changing your address but not your house. It takes hours and it's a headache you can do without."

Mr Austin said the 2003 letter, signed by then council chief executive, Robert Dobrzynski, was a legal document. "Why should we pay for someone else's mistakes?" he asked.

The council will inform residents about the decision, seeking comments and objections within 30 days. It will also send a letter of intent to the Registrar of Geographic Names and other relevant stakeholders.