The review addresses population shifts that place electorates over or under the required number of voters.
Submitters suggested a number of changes to the Murray Plains electorate, held by the Nationals’ Peter Walsh, including One Nation seeking to abolish the district and recreate Rodney district, which was abolished in the 2012–13 re-division.
The EBC said Murray Plains was currently 2.28 per cent below the state average and gradually trending downwards, but would still be within the 10 per cent threshold by the end of the forecast period, so no change was recommended.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission has recommended no change to the Shepparton district electorate, held by independent MP Suzanna Sheed.
The seat extends north to include Numurkah, Strathmerton and Nathalia and the EBC said while a proposal from the Liberal Party to align with the boundary of the City of Greater Shepparton was attractive and worked numerically, it would have negative effects on other electorates.
A One Nation suggestion to rename the seat Goulburn Valley has not been adopted in the proposed changes.
The Ovens Valley electorate, held by the Nationals’ Tim McCurdy, is 9.3 per cent below the average and is likely to be outside the 10 per cent threshold in the near future, so it needs to gain electors.
The EBC favours transferring voters from the Kiewa Valley to Ovens Valley district because it is part of the Alpine Shire and has a community of interest, with the bulk of the shire already in Ovens Valley.
The transfer of 2484 electors would put Ovens Valley district comfortably within the 10 per cent tolerance at 4.19 per cent below quota, while leaving Benambra close to quota at 1.33 per cent below the average.
The EBC does not believe major change is required for Eildon district, held by the Liberals’ Cindy McLeish, suggesting the transfer of 4451 electors in Hurstbridge, Wattle Glen and Nutfield from Yan Yean district to bring its enrolment to 3.54 per cent above the average.
Euroa district, held by the Nationals’ Steph Ryan, is 3.9 per cent above the average, and is projected to decline slowly.
The EBC proposes adding 1370 electors from the southern end to Yan Yean district, leaving Euroa 1.08 per cent above the average.
The proposed boundary changes are open for a second round of public submissions before the EBC makes a final determination, which will take effect at the next Victorian election.
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