By CHERIE DONNELLAN
REDISTRIBUTING Torquay and Jan Juc from their marginal South Barwon electorate to safe Liberal seat Polwarth would be an “absolute disaster”, according to a Labor MP.
Federal Member for Corangamite Darren Cheeseman said the towns would lose funding opportunities as part of “ultra-safe” Polwarth.
The Independent revealed last month that population growth in three Geelong state seats could force the first Victorian electoral re-division in 10 years.
South Barwon has 50,133 enrolled voters – 21 per cent above the average electorate size of 41,473 – compared to Polwarth’s 42,760.
The Green, National and Liberal parties have made submissions to Electoral Boundaries Commission to Torquay and Jan Juc into Polwarth.
Labor submitted that Torquay should remain in South Barwon but Jan Juc should be in Polwarth.
Mount Moriac, Bellbrae, Barrabool and Freshwater Creek should also go to Polwarth, Labor’s said.
Mr Cheeseman said Torquay and Jan Juc voters would be “completed ignored by the Coalition” if they ended up in Polwarth.
“They’ll never get any election commitments or projects funded … just like Colac.”
Labor-aligned Surf Coast councillor Rose Hodge said Torquay and Jan Juc residents had “been blessed with state grants” as part of South Barwon.
She was confident the shire could maintain government support regardless of the redistribution outcome.
“We’ll just have to advocate more and lobby harder to maintain grants for our area.”
Liberal-aligned deputy mayor Rod Nockles said all levels of government should work “closely and collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for constituents”.
