The Orange Local Aboriginal Lands Council has asked Orange City Council to name the structure the Ngumbadal (pronounced Nomm-ba-daal) Bridge.

The name, devised on advice from the Wiradjuri Language Group, means unity or union.

The $500,000 bridge will be completed by early December and is expected to be opened by NSW Housing Minister David Borger.

Housing NSW asked the local land council to come up with the name as a strategy to promote community ownership and signify the culture and heritage of the land’s traditional owners.

“To us, the bridge is about the joining of two areas and the Ngumbadal Bridge name is the best way to signify that,” James Williams from the Orange Local Aboriginal Lands Council said yesterday.

Former councillor Pam Ryan, who played an integral role in making the bridge a priority within Orange City Council, yesterday gave the proposed name a glowing endorsement.

“I think it’s entirely appropriate given the symbolism of the bridge uniting two parts of the town that are geographically disconnected at the moment,” she said.

“The use of the Wiradjuri language is also wonderful, it’s great that the Wiradjuri language has an ongoing life and this name really gives it currency, it helps the language live as well.

“The more the community is involved the more they feel they are a part of it.”

The vehicle and pedestrian bridge has been jointly funded by Orange City Council and Housing NSW.

An open day is being planned for early November.