Councillors were advised the Place Names Committee for the Northern Territory had invited Katherine Town Council to comment on requests to name a rail overpass after award-winning surveyor Nannette Helder and a bridge after former chief deputy minister Mike Reed.

From park ranger to politician, Mr Reed served the people of Katherine for a record 16 years.

He was also a passionate ornithologist and historian and became a popular author on birdwatching and World War Two in the Northern Territory.

Mr Reed served as Katherine MLA from 1987 to 2003 and Deputy Chief Minister from 1995 to 2001. In 2005 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly and the community of Katherine.

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The proposal is to name the bridge on the Stuart Highway over the Edith River 40 kilometres north of Katherine 'Mike Reed Bridge'.

Mr Reed died in November 2020, and his widow, Ann, said family friends had initiated the request to recognise the work he did and ensure he was not forgotten.

"During his political career, he had his name on a lot of plaques at places and infrastructure of the Territory he officially opened during the 1980s and 90s," Mrs Reed said.

"He did make a significant contribution, and he travelled up and down that highway weekly.

"I am appreciative of the council's support of this very thoughtful proposal put forward by our friends."

Nannette Helder died earlier this year and was widely recognised for her contribution to professional surveying services in regional Australia.

Ms Helder founded Territory Development Consultants (TDC), providing professional survey services to Katherine, and was the first female to join the Northern Territory Board of Surveyors.

In 2008 she was the winner of Spatial Professional of the Year in the Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards.

And in 2012 Ms Helder set up her 40-year-old survey theodolite in prime position on the grass beside the Katherine Transit Centre to spend the day watching the last Transit of Venus until 2117, and explaining it's history to hundreds of passers-by.

Her family have requested the rail overpass located 10 kilometres north of Katherine on the Stuart Highway be named 'Nannette Helder Overpass'.

A spokesperson for the Place Names Committee said when considering whether to make a recommendation to the Minister regarding a new place name, the council's views are essential.

"It is a requirement of the committee that council's support with respect to a particular naming proposal, are sought and documented," they said.

At Tuesday's meeting, Councillor Amanda Kingdon commented that while both Mr Reed and Ms Helder were worthy of the honour it would also be 'good to see some indigenous names proposed in the future'.

Council then voted unanimously to send its support to the NT Place Names Committee regarding the two commemorative naming requests.

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