Do better than Dannii and Kylie Minogue lane: Try Ron Barassi and Shane Warne CityLink tunnels

Minogue fans want a city laneway to be renamed after their idols. But c’mon Melbourne, here’s an opportunity to aim higher and salute two of the city’s greats — Ron Barassi and Shane Warne.

It was one of the great Melbourne moments when, in 2004, Melbourne Lord Mayor John So excitedly declared “let’s rock” at the opening of ACDC Lane, formerly Corporation Lane.

His quote at the time also bears repeating: “There is a highway to hell, but this is a laneway to heaven.’’

Mr So was there again in 2007 for the opening of Dame Edna Lane formerly Browns Alley, along with a gaggle of Edna look-alikes.

Brown Alley off Little Collins St was renamed 'Dame Edna Place' in 2007.

Amphlett Lane was named in memory of Divinyls singer Chrissy Amphlett, who died from cancer in 2013. Charley Drayton holds the Amphlett lane sign up next to the Mural at the beginning of Amphlett lane.

Eight years on, the city then created Amphlett Lane, in honour of rock icon Chrissy.

Now there’s a push for Melbourne’s Minogue sisters to be recognised with their own laneway.

That’s all well and good, and yeah, we should be so lucky and all that.

But c’mon Melbourne, here’s an opportunity to aim higher and salute two of the city’s greats. The boringly named Burnley and Domain tunnels should be renamed after two late greats – Ron Barassi and Shane Warne.

Imagine coming back from a long time overseas, peeling off the Bolte Bridge and seeing the signs for the Barassi Tunnel. Picture: Michael Willson

The Barassi and Warne monikers are more Melbourne than the current names which, while geographically loyal, don’t really evoke much emotion.

The sporting icons are universally loved. They brought the people of Melbourne together, a bit like how the tunnels link one side to the other.

The rebranding would also recognise our city’s summer and winter sporting obsessions – cricket and footy. There’s a certain symmetry to that.

For starters, the Domain Tunnel should be Warnie’s world. It’s made for it. The road seems to go straight and then takes a kink to the left, much like the leg spinner’s ball of the century to Mike Gatting.

The Domain Tunnel should be Warnie’s world.

Also, imagine coming back from a long time overseas, peeling off the Bolte Bridge and seeing the signs for the Barassi Tunnel? Feels like home. Feels like Melbourne.

Of course, there’s the small matter of getting the good people of CityLink operator Transurban on board. And then get it signed off with VICNAMES, the state’s geographical register. Mere details.

Neither great men have geographic features named after them in their home state, statues aside. A Docklands park is named after Barassi’s father, while the name Warne only appears on Victorian maps as a railway siding out in the Mallee.

So let’s straight redrawing the Melway. And I’ll see you at the naming of the Barassi and Warne tunnels.