State election lines could be redrawn

WHO Ballarat residents vote for at the 2022 State election could be in for a shakeup following the release of a review into Victoria’s electorates.

Published by the Victorian Electoral Commission, the review proposes big changes to the city’s State electoral districts, with Buninyong pushed south and Ripon increasing its importance in the north and north-west.

A newly titled seat named Eureka would replace Wendouree and be more centrally located in the city, dropping parts of suburbs like Wendouree and Alfredton along with areas to the north including Mount Rowan and Invermay.

However, the new Eureka would pick up parts of Ballarat East, Golden Point, Mount Pleasant, Sebastopol and Delacombe.

Current member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said she has strong ties to her electorate and that the proposed boundaries were not set yet.

“Since the 2018 State election, I’ve been honored to represent the people of the Wendouree electorate where I grew up and am raising my family,” she said.

“The electoral boundaries announced today are still drafts, with the final boundaries to be determined later this year in October.

“Until the 2022 election, I continue as the elected Member for Wendouree and am focused on delivering the important projects that we have committed to.”

To the south of Ballarat, Buninyong District could be in for some big changes as it takes on a more rural feel.

The current VEC proposal would see that electorate retain suburbs like Mount Helen and Buninyong, but also add all of Golden Plains Shire, northern parts of Corangamite Shire and keep most of Moorabool Shire.

Along with parts of inner Ballarat, also out of Buninyong would be Bacchus Marsh, which could join Melton District.

In regards to the proposed changes, current Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle was circumspect.

“I look forward to continuing to represent our local community no matter what the boundaries are,” she said.

As the seat of Buninyong marches south, so to does Ripon where everything west of Gillies Street, as far as La Trobe Street and Ballarat-Carngham Road could join the electorate which also includes Lucas and Miners Rest.

Other key changes in that district could include the loss of Stawell, Donald and Charlton.

At the 2018 election, current member and shadow treasurer Louise Staley held Ripon by just over 300 votes.

In the Legislative Council, or upper house, the only current proposal effecting the Western Victoria region is the loss of areas around Donald and Charlton to Northern Victoria Region.

The VEC is currently taking feedback on the proposed changes to the state’s electoral boundaries until 30 July.

Submissions can be made via ebc.vic.gov.au, [email protected], or to the Electoral Boundaries Commission, Level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.