Minogue Lane: Diehard fans call on Lord Mayor to rename Melbourne laneway

Diehard Kylie and Dannii Minogue fans are calling on the new Lord Mayor to rename one of the city’s laneways in honour of the sisters. But are there more deserving Melburnians? Have your say.

Diehard Kylie and Dannii Minogue fans are calling on new Lord Mayor Nick Reece to rename a laneway in Melbourne’s CBD to honour the pop icons.

Eliza Day, who has been a hardcore follower for more than four decades, told the Herald Sun the sisters deserved acknowledgment in their hometown.

Ms Day launched a petition on Monday calling for a city laneway to be renamed ‘Minogue Lane’ and has contacted Mr Reece in recent days.

“They are undeniably pivotal figures in pop culture,” she said.

“Their contribution to the music industry combined with their unwavering advocacy, love and support for the LGBTQIA+ community makes them deserving of recognition.”

Dannii and Kylie Minogue performing together in 2023. Picture: David Swift

Ms Day, co-host of podcast This Is Disco, which is devoted to the Minogues, said she was inspired to start the petition after a street in West Hollywood was renamed in Kylie’s honour to celebrate Pride.

“My first thought was why don’t we have a Minogue Lane in Melbourne?” she said.

“They are kind, warm and generous with their time and they’re Melbourne girls at heart.

“I know Kylie’s music is probably out there more but they have both been doing great in their own way. The petition is equally about both of them.”

More than 300 people had signed the change.org petition since Monday.

Mr Reece said Melbourne “should be so lucky” to name one of its iconic laneways after the Minogue sisters.

“We recognise the significant contributions Kylie and Dannii have made to our city, both as pop icons and Melburnian ambassadors to the world,” he said.

However, the Herald Sun understands that Ms Day’s suggestion does not comply with the state government’s naming rules, with the council unable to pursue naming applications for living persons.

According to the rules, exemptions to commemorate a living person are “strongly discouraged” and generally not permitted because “community attitudes and opinions can change over time”.

There are calls for a city laneway to be renamed ‘Minogue Lane’. Picture: Getty

The sisters, raised in Melbourne’s east, first hit TV screens in the 1970s starring on shows including Young Talent Time, Home and Away and Neighbours.

By the early 1990s, both women had arrived on the music scene, with Kylie’s cover of dance track The Loco-Motion launching her onto the world stage.

She went on to become the highest-selling Australian female recording artist, while Dannii’s successful singing career saw her become a judge on several TV talent shows.

Kylie and Dannii Minogue superfan Owen Lambourn says the petition is ‘long overdue’. Picture: Jason Edwards

Super fan Owen Lambourn backed the petition, calling the proposal “long overdue”.

“We’ve had laneways and streets renamed after other huge Australian icons that have been pivotal in music and entertainment around the world,” he said.

“I think it’s just really long overdue for us to pay homage to these entertainment icons that are still going strong and still capturing people’s attention.”

Mr Lambourn said a laneway near the Melbourne Arts Precinct, Bourke St or Degraves St would be most suited because “the sisters love their coffee”.

He said he believed Kylie and Dannii would be honoured with the proposal.

“The true fans are there through thick and thin,” he said.

“What we love is that both ladies have such a close relationship with their fans.

“I think that’s why we are so devoted to them.”

A street was named after Dame Edna Everage in 2007.

Several Melbourne laneways have been renamed in recent decades – but not all of them have been a tribute to Melburnians.

AC/DC Lane, originally known as Corporation Lane, was renamed in honour of the rock band in 2004 to recognise their connection to the city.

The group, which formed in Sydney but were based in Melbourne for several years, filmed their iconic music video for hit song Long Way to the Top on the back of a truck on Swanston St.

Divinyls frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett, born in Geelong, was recognised with Amphlett Lane in 2015 after a petition following her death garnered 7000 signatures.

Moonee Ponds housewife superstar Dame Edna Everage, brought to life by late comedian Barry Humphries, also had a laneway named after her in 2007.

In 2019, the City of Melbourne considered changing the name of Crossley St to Sisto Lane after the tragic murder of Pellegrini’s owner Sisto Malaspina, but this suggestion was also found not to comply with the state government rules.

Originally published as Minogue Lane: Diehard fans call on Lord Mayor to rename Melbourne laneway