The deadline for making submissions to ECQ about proposed new boundaries for election of Redland City’s local councillors is 5:00pm on Monday 9th September.
The electoral divisions boundary review was carried out by the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) to ensure that for the next elections due in March 2020 all divisions contain approximately the same number of registered voters – within a tolerance of plus or minus 10%.
The proposed new electoral boundaries were advertised for comment on 23 August. The process was discussed in a Redland City Bulletin story: Birkdale council boundary may be moved back after controversial 2015 local government decision
The controversial electoral boundaries changes by ECQ in 2015 were discussed by Redlands2030 in the story: A murky tale about land development and electoral redistribution in Redland City
Boundary changes in the latest ECQ proposals would move a handful of voters, Howeston Golf Course and the Birkdale Commonwealth Lands from Division 9 represented by Cr Paul Gleeson back into division 10 which is currently represented by Cr Paul Bishop.
Other changes proposed by ECQ include moving Sheldon from Division 6 (currently represented by Cr Julie Talty) into Division 9.
Major changes are also proposed for Division 1 (currently represented by Cr Wendy Boglary). Parts of Ormiston which were put into Division 8 (currently represented by Cr Tracey Huges) at the previous redistribution would return to Division 1.
The overall package of boundary changes proposed by ECQ for the Redlands 2020 local government elections appears to be sound and uncontroversial.
Any residents who feel that this is so should consider making a brief submission to ECQ endorsing their proposed divisional boundaries.
Details on how to make a submission are available on the ECQ website.
Details of changes to electoral boundaries proposed by ECQ
The following descriptions of proposed changes are exactly as described by ECQ in its Proposed Determination Report.
Division 1
In response to the public submissions, the Change Commission has proposed boundaries that unite the entire suburb of Ormiston within this Division. To accommodate this change and to increase enrolment in neighbouring Division 8, it has been necessary to transfer an additional portion of Wellington Point into Division 8.
The Change Commission proposes the following changes. The Division:
a. Gains the balance of Ormiston following the Hilliards Creek south, east along Shore Street West and then north to the Ormiston locality boundary/ Endeavour Canal; and
b. Transfers the portion of Wellington Point south of Nelson Road, Main Road, Plumer Street and Starkey Street into Division 8.
Division 2
Minimal change is proposed for Division 2, with the southwest boundary contracting slightly to transfer the industrial area situated south of Weippin Street into Division 7 as recommended in public suggestions.
Division 3
Division 3 has exceeded the legislated quota and therefore boundary changes were required to balance enrolment within this Division. The north-western boundary has been contracted east to follow Bloomfield Street and Panorama Drive. In doing so, it was possible for Division 3 to expand slightly in the south to gain part of Victoria Pointthat is bounded by Cleveland Redland Bay Road, Bunker Road and Brookvale Drive, helping to reduce enrolment in neighbouring Division 6.
The Change Commission proposes the following changes. The Division:
a. Gains a portion of Victoria Point from Division 6; and
b. Transfers a portion of Thornlands and Cleveland bounded by Bay Street, Bloomfield Street and Panaroma Drive to Division 7.
Division 4
The boundaries of Division 4 have expanded to include additional parts of Victoria Point while also following roadsand waterways. In doing so, this has helped to lower enrolment in Division 6 and create more identifiable boundaries for voters in the area.
The Change Commission proposes the following changes. The Division:
a. Gains a portion of Victoria Point bounded by Brookvale Drive, Eprapah Creek, Kingfisher Road, Double Jump RoadandCleveland Redland Bay Road from Division 6;andb.Transfers its portion of Redland Bay, bounded by the Moogurrapum Creek, Victoria Point locality boundary and Cleveland Redland Bay Road,into Division 6.
Division 5
As Division 5 is projected to almost exceed the enrolment quota by 2024, a couple of changes have been proposed to reduce the number of enrolled voters in this Division.The western boundary of Division 5 has been contracted, transferring two portions of the Redland Bay locality into Division 6.
The streets of Green Place and St Bees Close are now located in Division 6, as are the houses south of Point Talburpin Park, Torquay Creek and Christopher Street.
Division 6
As Division 6 has exceeded the enrolment quota, a number of changes have been proposed to lower voter numbers and bring it into quota. The Change Commission has contracted the northern boundary of this Division,transferring a few suburbs into the neighbouring divisions. In doing so, the intent has been to create boundaries that cater for the growth and developments anticipated within this Division.
The Change Commission proposes the following changes. The Division:
a. Gains a small portion of Redland Bay bounded by Cleveland Redland Bay Road, the Redland Bay locality boundary and the Moogurrapum Creekfrom Division 4;
b. Gains two portions of Redland Bay from Division 5, including the houses on Green Place, St Bees Close and those situated south of Point Talburpin Park, Torquay Creek and Christopher Street;
c. Transfers its portion of Victoria Point into Divisions 3 and 4 so the boundary follows Kingfisher Road and Double Jump Road;and
d. Transfers the suburb of Sheldon and its portion of Thornlands to Division 9, with the boundary following the Mount Cotton locality, West Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton Roadand the Eprapah Creek.
Division 7
The proposed Division 7 has expanded east to take in a portion of Cleveland from Divisions 2 and 3. It has also gained an additional portion of Thornlands, north of Panorama Drive from Division 3. In doing so, this increased Division 7’s enrolment while also enabling it to increase enrolment in Division 9 by transferring part of Capalaba.
Division 8
The proposed boundaries of Division 8 have expanded north to take in an additional portion of Wellington Point as requested in a submission. The boundaries have also expanded west to gain part of Capalaba. In doing so, this enabled Ormiston to be united within Division 1 and has also helped to increase enrolment in neighbouring Division 10.
The Change Commission proposes the following changes. The Division:
a. Gains an additional portion of Wellington Pointthat lies south of Nelson Road, Main Road, Plumer Street, Starkey Street and Old Cleveland Road East from Division 1;
b. Gains par of Capalaba bounded by Jones Road, the Tingalpa Creek, Old Cleveland Road, Redland Bay Road, Moreton Bay Road and Finucane Road from Division 9;
c. Transfers its portion of Ormiston to Division 1;and
d. Transfers part of Birkdale north of Old Cleveland Road East to Division 10.
Division 9
Division 9 has expanded south to gain electors from Divisions6 and 7, helping to better balance enrolment in the region. As a result, the northern boundary has contracted, returning the Birkdale Commonwealth land and Howeston Golf Courseto Division 10 as requested in the public submissions. In addition, part of Capalaba has been transferred to Division 8.
The Change Commission proposes the following changes. The Division:
a. Gains the entire locality of Sheldon and a portion of Thornlands from Division 6;
b. Gains a portion of Capalaba from Division 7;
c. Transfers the portion of Capalaba north of Old Cleveland Road, Redland Bay Road and Moreton Bay Road into Division 7; and
d. Transfers its portion of Birkdale to Division 10.
Division 10
The proposed Division 10 boundaries have expanded south to gain additional parts of Birkdale north of Jones Road and Old Cleveland Road East from Divisions 8 and 9. In doing so, this has increased enrolment in the Division and accommodated community feedback requesting the Birkdale Commonwealth land and Howeston Golf Course be returned to Division 10.
Redlands2030 – 8 September 2019
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One Comment
The Howeston Golf Course and the Commonwealth land should never have been taken out of division 10 in the first place. That was purely a political decision.