Sydney's Russian consulate could soon have a new address, on Ukraine Street, if a local council gets its way.
Woollahra Municipal Council, in the Harbour City's affluent eastern suburbs, this week passed a motion to rename the street on which Russia's diplomatic building sits.
After two hours of debate, councillors agreed to start the process of renaming Fullerton Street — although, there are several more hurdles to be negotiated before the new name becomes a reality.
Some councillors saw the renaming as a small but symbolic protest to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The plan to rename the street has already gained the support of Australia's Ukrainian Embassy and other community organisations.
"It can only start here," Councillor Luisa Elsing, who tabled the motion, told the council.
"I know the people who live in Woollahra and the people who live around the consulate are very keen to make their position clear.
"People saying how devastated they are [about the war in Ukraine] and how they want us at Woollahra Council to throw whatever support we have available to us."
Councillor Matthew Robertson seconded the motion, saying it was incumbent on the council to reflect the values of the community.
"We have to do everything in our power, it's as simple as that," he said.
A majority of councillors voted in favour of the motion, with the biggest sticking point on Monday regarding the status of consultation with people living on Fullerton Street.
The plan would also need to be presented to the Geographical Names Board, which would have the final say on any title changes.
If approved, Sydney would join a global initiative of renaming streets home to Russian embassies.
In London there are calls to dub the exclusive Kensington Palace Gardens street, where Russia's embassy lies, "Zelenksy Avenue" in honour of Ukraine's president.
Sydney's consulate has been the site of pro and anti-Russian rallies since Ukraine was invaded in February of this year.
The council has received more than 300 letters in support of the motion, not all coming from local residents, and online petitions have gained more than 1,000 signatures.
Andrew Mencinsky, who lives in neighbouring Edgecliff and is vice president of the Ukrainian Council of NSW, said the name change was symbolic.
"Look, it's not going to stop the war. It will take more than renaming a street to do that," he said.
"It gives hope to the people of Ukraine because they know they're not alone, people are supporting them."
Mr Mencinsky said it would also act as a "daily reminder of Ukraine's sovereignty" for consulate staff.
People from across Australia have written to the council in support of the plan, and Mr Mencinsky hoped the name change would pass smoothly.
"I haven't met one person who is against this," he said.
A letter signed by Ukrainian Embassy's Charge d`Affaires Volodymyr Shalkivskyi, urged the Woollahra Municipal Council to rename Fullerton Street as a "powerful act of support for Ukrainians".
In a statement, the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Sydney said Woollahra Council was yet to inform it of any decision, but suggested the idea was fuelled by a "political trend".
It said the council was in charge of naming streets and the consulate "cannot and has no intention to influence its decision".
"However, it would make sense for the council to consult the local community first," it said.
"One wonders how comfortable the residents will be to find the historic name of the street they live on suddenly changed for no other reason than to follow the political trend of the day."
This move is not the first from the council targeting the Russian consulate since the war in Ukraine began.
Councillors last month voted to strip street parking permits for the consulate, and return car spaces to the general public.
As part of the Fullerton Street motion passed this week, the council is also calling for a greater humanitarian intake of Ukrainian citizens displaced by Russia's invasion.
"If you have the power to do something to support the people of Ukraine, you should do it," Cr Elsing said.
