Benjamin Millar
The Altona district has been abolished and new districts of Laverton and Point Cook created in its place as part of sweeping changes to state electoral boundaries ahead of next year’s election.
Victoria’s Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) last week released a report detailing the new state electoral boundaries that will come into operation at the November 2022 election.
Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said the EBC took account of the 127 written and 25 verbal submissions received from the Victorian community when preparing the final boundaries.
“Redivisions are a key part of Victoria’s electoral system, as they ensure fair representation and an equal voice for all voters in State elections,” he said.
“The EBC has amended the proposed boundaries in 38 areas, transferring 127,425 electors to different electoral districts.”
A total of 910,384 voters (21.3 per cent) have been transferred to different districts.
Altona was one of nine districts that have been abolished, reflecting boundary changes forced by rapid growth in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
“With the loss of the suburb of Altona, there was no point in Altona District retaining its name,” the EBC report noted.
New seats of Laverton and Point Cook have been created in its place.
The EBC report noted that it considered two options for the additional district of Laverton – a coastal district extending from Altona northwards to the Princes Freeway, and an inland district extending southwest from Sunshine to Laverton.
In both cases, the district included the industrial area and somewhat disconnected residential areas.
“The EBC opted for the inland district, largely because it enabled better boundaries in surrounding districts.”
The new Laverton district is composed of parts of five existing districts, with most of its electors coming from Footscray and Tarneit districts.
Footscray district now sits entirely within the City of Maribyrnong, with boundaries along Ashley Street in the west and Francis streets in the south.
The Williamstown district broadly corresponded with City of Hobsons Bay, without Altona Meadows.
