The council submission proposes to swap Inverloch for Lang Lang East, Catani, Bayles, Cora Lynn and Nar Nar Goon
BASS Coast Council will argue that Inverloch should remain in the Bass electorate, along with the rest of Bass Coast shire.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) proposed last month that Inverloch should be transferred from the seat of Bass to Gippsland South, effectively dividing the shire into two state electorates.
The EBC is required to review electoral boundaries every two elections to ensure the number of electors within each district and region remains approximately the same over time.
Bass is currently more than 42 per cent over quota – the most populous electorate in Victoria – while Gippsland South is well below quota.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) proposed last month that Inverloch should be transferred from the seat of Bass to Gippsland South, effectively dividing the shire into two state electorates.
The EBC is required to review electoral boundaries every two elections to ensure the number of electors within each district and region remains approximately the same over time.
Bass is currently more than 42 per cent over quota – the most populous electorate in Victoria – while Gippsland South is well below quota.
The current proposal includes transferring Inverloch to Gippsland South. The Bass electorate would also lose Pakenham and Clyde, while taking in the Western Port communities of Warneet, Blind Bight and Tooradin from Hastings District.
A council submission will propose an alternative option to move the northern part of the electorate – Lang Lang East, Catani, Bayles, Cora Lynn and Nar Nar Goon – across to Gippsland South instead.
Bass Coast Mayor Brett Tessari said the council believed it was in the best interests of the community to retain Inverloch.
“Bass Coast’s coastal communities share a number of unique challenges, such as addressing the impacts of climate change and coastal erosion, seasonal visitation compounded by issues related to geography, population growth and land development.
“Our submission will propose that retaining Inverloch within the District of Bass is important as it will maintain the sense of community and identification with place.”
“The proposed redivision only affects State Government electoral boundaries, not municipal, and regardless of the outcome, Inverloch will remain part of the Bass Coast Shire,” Cr Tessari said.
As part of its submission, the council will also encourage the EBC to respect and acknowledge Traditional Owners by consulting with the Bunurong Land Council to consider changing the name of the Bass State District.
The proposed realignment would also mean the current Labor MP for Bass, Jordan Crugnale, now resides outside her own electorate and in the seat of Gippsland South, held by Nationals MP Danny O’Brien.
The commission is required to ensure that enrolments for all the districts and regions are within 10 per cent of the average. It must also give due consideration to:
Submissions on the proposed boundaries close at 5pm on Friday July 30. They can be emailed to [email protected]
A council submission will propose an alternative option to move the northern part of the electorate – Lang Lang East, Catani, Bayles, Cora Lynn and Nar Nar Goon – across to Gippsland South instead.
Bass Coast Mayor Brett Tessari said the council believed it was in the best interests of the community to retain Inverloch.
“Bass Coast’s coastal communities share a number of unique challenges, such as addressing the impacts of climate change and coastal erosion, seasonal visitation compounded by issues related to geography, population growth and land development.
“Our submission will propose that retaining Inverloch within the District of Bass is important as it will maintain the sense of community and identification with place.”
“The proposed redivision only affects State Government electoral boundaries, not municipal, and regardless of the outcome, Inverloch will remain part of the Bass Coast Shire,” Cr Tessari said.
As part of its submission, the council will also encourage the EBC to respect and acknowledge Traditional Owners by consulting with the Bunurong Land Council to consider changing the name of the Bass State District.
The proposed realignment would also mean the current Labor MP for Bass, Jordan Crugnale, now resides outside her own electorate and in the seat of Gippsland South, held by Nationals MP Danny O’Brien.
The commission is required to ensure that enrolments for all the districts and regions are within 10 per cent of the average. It must also give due consideration to:
- area and physical features of terrain
- means of travel, traffic arteries and communications
- community or diversity of interests
- the likelihood of changes in the number of electors in the various localities.
Submissions on the proposed boundaries close at 5pm on Friday July 30. They can be emailed to [email protected]