One seat to rule them all

FOR the first time in the history of Golden Plains Shire, the municipality could have one state lower house member of parliament representing the whole local government area.

That’s if a proposal by the Victorian Electoral Commission goes ahead in its current form.

Under the plan, all of Golden Plains Shire would fall into the State electoral district of Buninyong, currently represented by Labor MP Michaela Settle, with the southern sections of what is presently part of Polwarth moving beyond the municipality’s southern boundary.

Overall, Buninyong District could take on a much more rural feel with parts of inner Ballarat falling into a new electorate called Eureka, and Bacchus Marsh moving into Melton.

At the same time Buninyong will retain the rest of Moorabool Shire, add all of Golden Plains, and parts of northern Corangamite Shire.

In regards to the proposed changes, Ms Settle was circumspect.

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

Buninyong’s gain is Polwarth’s loss, as that district could contract around the Great Ocean Road.

If the VEC’s proposal goes ahead unchanged, out of Polwarth will go towns like Bannockburn, Inverleigh, and Rokewood, along with parts of Corangamite and Moyne shires.

However a section of what’s currently South Barwon District, including Torquay could be added to Polwarth.

Current Liberal Member Richard Riordan said he could see the benefits of the proposed changes.

“Consolidating my time across only three coastal and hinterland Shires instead of my previous six local Government areas will mean more time for those communities,” he said.

“The bringing of Torquay into a seat that now holds the whole length of the Great Ocean Road region is very exciting, and will help consolidate this region as one of Australia’s premier visitor destinations.

“I will be using the time between now and November 2022, to get to know the new communities within Surf Coast, but also to thank the many people I have met in Bannockburn and across the Golden Plains and Moyne Shires who have been so supportive of my time representing them.”

In the Legislative Council, or upper house, the only current proposal affecting 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.