Port Stephens Council wants to rename the area north of Raymond Terrace and south of Eagleton to create Kings Hill. 

The name has been associated with the proposed $1billion residential development since its inception, and was adopted from what would be the suburb’s geographical high point ‘Kings Hill’, but the council is now formally moving to have the area’s name changed.

Chair of Geographical Names Board Des Mooney said the board wanted to encourage public comment before considering the proposal.

“It is important place names reflect the character and history of the local area and community.

“We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposal,” he said.

In 2010, the NSW government rezoned the land to the north of Raymond Terrace and identified it as a significant future residential area that could one day house as many as 11,000 new residents.

The population increase from the development has been included in a number of planning documents, including the current Raymond Terrace and Heatherbrae Strategy 2015-2031.

But despite being identified as a ‘‘major priority release area’’ by the state government, the project has been stalled for years.

In November last year, the Newcastle Herald reported that the firm behind the suburb, Kings Hill Development, had offered to pay for the construction of a $36.5million road interchange because of demands from the Roads and Maritime Service for an overpass linking the project to the Pacific Highway to be built before any new housing proceeds.