Electoral boundaries redrawn

STATE electorates in and around Ballarat have been redrawn ahead of next year’s election.

The process, known as a redivision, was finalised last week and sees Wendouree District, which is currently represented by Labor MP Juliana Addison, become the further dominant electorate in the city.

Wendouree now pics up locations like Sebastopol and Bonshaw but loses sections of Brown Hill and parts of Ballarat East to the newly named Eureka District, while Invermay, Nerrina and Mount Rowan move into Ripon.

An earlier proposal also had places like Wendouree West and Alfredton spun off into neighbouring Ripon, however, the northwest boundary of Wendouree now remains unaltered.

“Being a local MP is a great honour,” said Ms Addison. “I look forward to continuing to deliver all of my election commitments in the electorate of Wendouree and standing for re-election at the November 2022 State election.

“In the past Sebastopol was in the Ballarat West electorate and was proudly represented by Karen Overington. I hope to have the opportunity to follow in her footsteps.”

As part of the redivision process the most drastic change has occurred to Buninyong District.

That name will soon be gone, and along with it sections of Ballarat and northern Golden Plains Shire from the electorate.

To be known as Eureka, which was originally the proposed name for Wendouree, the reimagined district picks up inner Brown Hill, the west and south of Golden Plains – apart from Bannockburn – and Bacchus Marsh.

Current Labor Buninyong MP Michaela Settle noted the importance of the electorate’s name change.

“It’s wonderful that this new seat will be called Eureka as it celebrates one of the most important events in Victoria’s history,” she said.

While she lamented the loss of Sebastopol from the electorate, Ms Settle welcomed the opportunity to get to know new areas.

“What I love most about this job is working with communities to understand how I can serve them best,” she said.

“Over the last three years I was proud to be able to put the spotlight on Sebastopol through a $5 million investment.

“It’s been an absolute joy to work with the community to fund some really important projects.

“The Brown Hill community are very passionate and a close-knit community, and I can’t wait to get involved and make things happen.

“I am still the member for Buninyong until November 2022, and I will do everything to make sure the projects we’ve started together are completed.”

Meanwhile, the Division of Rippon has further extended into the region.

The seat was decided by just a handful of votes in 2018, and while the electorate has held locations like Lucas and Miners Rest, it’s also picked up places including Invermay, Nerrina, Mount Rowan, Haddon, Smythesdale, Scarsdale and Linton.

Current member and shadow minister for transport infrastructure, roads, and regional recovery Louise Staley welcomed the changes.

“I am pleased with the outcome of the state seats redistribution,” she said.

“Ripon remains a seat with strong rural ties whilst also taking in the important growth areas of Lucas, Miners Rest and Haddon.

“I have a strong record of advocating and delivering for my communities throughout Ripon, from the rural towns to the more urban towns, and I look forward to continuing this work.”

To gain in the south, Ripon has dropped towns like Stawell, Donald and Charlton.

The change in the north of Ripon also means a slight tweak to the boundaries in the upper house seat of Western Victoria Region, with Donald, Charlton and surrounds moving into Northern Victoria Region.