A POLL on whether to keep the name Russell Island or to change it to Canaipa is neck and neck.
Bowman MP Andrew Laming undertook the survey of the island's 1750 residents on Thursday June 4.
Mr Laming said he had not counted the responses but believed a quarter of the island's residents - about 437 - had replied.
He said the free postal survey was aimed at starting debate on the issue and was not affiliated with the official state government call for feedback in May.
State Development Minister Anthony Lynham asked Redland residents for feedback on changing the island's name to its traditional indigenous name, Canaipa, after a request from Redland City Council last year.
Submissions to the state government must be lodged with the Queensland Place Names section of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines website by July 29.
Mr Laming said early results from his poll showed the tightest poll on any topic he'd seen in 10 years of polling in Redland.
"It's clear from the swift responses that Russell Island residents are keen to be heard on this subject," he said.
"We've had hundreds of responses so far and it's about 50 - 50 at the moment.
"It's vital that every Russell Island resident gets a chance to have their say on the potential change, and the only way to do that is to poll the entire island."
The Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce also polled residents before asking council to back the name change proposal last year.
Residents still have time to return Mr Laming's poll.
DO YOU WANT RUSSELL ISLAND TO CHANGE ITS NAME TO CANAIPA ISLAND? YES OR NO?
