By Taylah Eastwell
Electoral boundaries in the Hills are set for a shake-up with the seats of Gembrook and Ferntree Gully proposed to be abolished entirely.
The Victorian Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) released a draft proposed redistribution on Wednesday 30 June that will split the Gembrook electorate into two if approved, with part of the electorate joining a new Berwick district and the remainder joining Pakenham.
According to the draft paper, the electorate of Gembrook requires a reduction in elector numbers following substantial growth in the south-eastern corridor.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said he always knew there would be massive changes to his electorate due to population growth.
“This will be a very interesting period but it is a positive change for the area because it will give more representation to all,” Mr Battin said.
The proposed Berwick seat would encompass Beaconsfield Upper, Harkaway, Guys Hill, Berwick, Beaconsfield and Clyde North.
“I’ve now got time to sit back and look at what the impact will be. With my seat gone, I’ve got to work out what will happen in the future,” he said.
If approved, the redistribution could also see areas of the Dandenong Ranges including Clematis, Gembrook, Cockatoo and Emerald move into the seat of Monbulk, which currently sits under quota at 10.72%. It is expected a merge would bump up electors by around 10,000 to bring the district back up to quota.
Mr Battin said he would be sticking to his Berwick roots in next year’s election.
“For me personally, it’s a challenge because they’re abolishing my seat but I’m born and bred and lived in Berwick all my life so I would want to run for the Berwick seat. I’ll go through the formal party processes and give them that respect to make that decision but I will be putting my hand up for Berwick,” he said.
The Ferntree Gully district is also proposed to be abolished, with half of the electorate to join Monbulk and the remainder to join Rowville.
The proposed boundaries can be downloaded from the EBC website, ebc.vic.gov.au. Written submissions can also be lodged via the website.
The EBC will take account of suggestions and objections, and prepare final boundaries by late October 2021. These boundaries will take effect at the 2022 State election.
