need to manage these, most were registered by entrepreneurs for use as vanity domains unrelated to the locale they serve. .cc, for example, is now operated by VeriSign. .hm represents a nature preserve with no human inhabitants. Some Australian local government authorities have adopted *.cc domains as a convenient abbreviation for "City Council". For example, the Brisbane City Council uses the domain name "bne.cc" as a URL shortener. There are also two geographic top-level domain names assigned to Australia in which are used by individuals and businesses within a particular region, they are: .melbourne – for Victorian registered businesses, entities associated with the state of Victoria or Australian citizens and residents with a Victorian address. .sydney – for New South Wales registered businesses, entities associated with the state of New South Wales or Australian citizens and residents with a New South Wales address. References External links IANA WHOIS for .au auDA Afilias Australian Domainer Forum Australian Domainers Community Internet in Australia Country code top-level domains 1986 establishments in Australia sv:Toppdomän#A