Proposals made this morning to alter Victorian state electoral boundaries would see the entirety of the Alpine Shire united within Ovens Valley under Nationals MP Tim McCurdy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Electoral Boundaries Commission today released its first draft of proposed changes to electoral boundaries, with Ovens Valley gaining constituents from Benambra.
Falls Creek, Mount Beauty, Dederang and the surrounding communities would be shifted into Ovens Valley if the proposal is approved in its current form.
The changes are made in order to balance voters in each electoral district.
Currently Ovens Valley is around 9 per cent below quota and Benambra is above and growing.
Member of the Legislative Assembly for Benambra Bill Tilley said the redistribution was "common sense".
Explore the map here (it might take a moment or two to load).
"The two electorates shared Alpine Shire and so the decision to shift the Upper Kiewa Valley into Ovens Valley and balance the equation was a clean and transparent fix," he said.
"Benambra now contains wholly all of Wodonga, Indigo and Towong shires.
"That's not to say I'm not a little disappointed to lose Falls Creek where as part of a Liberal Nationals government we made the first substantial investment into creating the mountain bike trails that have been the catalyst to its growth as a year-round resort."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr McCurdy welcomed the news and said he looks forward to getting to know these communities should the proposal go through.
"I'm delighted, it'll be great to get out to these new communities," he said.
"This is only the first draft but I can't see it changing that much because the other electorates haven't varied that much.
"I don't think there will be any big changes or complaints."
The proposal is currently on display on the Electoral Boundaries Commission website, with submissions on the current redistribution of electorates on display until July 30.
Fina boundaries are expected to be finalised by October this year.