By Parker McKenzie
The Monbulk district has expanded ahead of the 2022 State Election with Emerald, Cockatoo and Gembrook now in the electorate.
The district will also now contain parts of Ferntree Gully and the Basin to offset losses to the Evelyn district.
The Electoral Commission said the reason the Monbulk area has been enlarged due to it being 10.72 per cent below the district average of electors before the changes.
Now the expansion has increased the eligible voters in the electorate to 49,108.
Monbulk member and Deputy Premier and Education Minister James Merlino has mixed feelings about the changes.
“While I’m sad to be losing areas like Montrose and Kilsyth, I’m delighted that the Dandenong Ranges will finally be within the one electoral district, a first in my time as Member for Monbulk.” Mr Merlino said.
The Gembrook district, held by Liberal MP Brad Battin, has been abolished and absorbed into Monbulk.
Battin told Star News on Wednesday 30 June that he would be running for the Berwick seat in anticipation of the changes.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The Evelyn district also saw changes and now contains Montrose while losing a section of Chirnside Park.
