The Australian Electoral Commission has announced the redistribution of federal electorate boundaries, including moving Rochester to the Division of Bendigo.
Formerly part of the Division of Nicholls, Rochester, along with Bonn, Diggora, Fairy Dell, Tennyson and part of the locality of Milloo, will move to the Division of Bendigo.
The changes come as the commission abolishes the Division of Higgins, which covered some of Melbourne’s inner south-eastern suburbs including Armadale, Toorak, Malvern and Prahran.
As a result, 11 electoral divisions have been redistributed to ensure a consistent number of voters in each electorate.
This is based on a projected number of 127,238 voters in each division as of April 17, 2028, with a deviation of plus or minus 3.5 per cent.
Nicholls currently encompasses the entire Campaspe Shire, Moira Shire and Greater Shepparton councils, as well as parts of Mitchell Shire and Strathbogie Shire councils. It is represented by Sam Birrell.
The Division of Bendigo currently covers Greater Bendigo City, including Elmore; Mount Alexander Shire Council; and parts of the Macedon Ranges Shire and Mitchell Shire councils. Lisa Chesters is the Member of Parliament.
Mr Birrell is disappointed to lose Rochester from his constituency, having spent a significant amount of time in the region in the aftermath of the October 2022 floods.
“I’m disappointed that Rochester won’t be part of Nicholls,” he said.
“I love the community. It’s one of my favourites of what has been the electorate of Nicholls.
“We’ve been through a lot together with the floods. It’s an incredibly resilient group.”
The abolition of the Division of Higgins and modifications to 11 electoral division boundaries was proposed by a redistribution committee in May 2024 and accepted by the electoral commission on Thursday, September 5.
“All written objections and comments, as well as the information presented at the inquiry, have been carefully considered in deciding the final names and boundaries,” presiding member and Australian Electoral Commission chair Susan Kenny said.
“The augmented Electoral Commission has unanimously accepted the Redistribution Committee’s proposed abolition of the Division of Higgins, to retire the name of the Division of Higgins, and to modify the boundaries of 11 of the electoral divisions initially proposed in May 2024.”
The initial proposal did not suggest that Rochester move from Nicholls to Bendigo.
Mr Birrell also flagged that this amendment was not outlined in the draft, and if there was an opportunity to submit an objection, he likely would have.
Despite this, he values the independence of the electoral commission to make these decisions objectively.
“I think I probably would have suggested we object, had I known it was on the cards,” he said.
“Having said that ... the AEC process is an independent process and that’s really important.
“I respect that process and respect the outcomes. What we can’t have in Australia is political inference.
“There can be submissions made, and we probably would have done so in relation to this, but the fact that we have this independent body that draws electoral boundaries is an important system and I do respect that.”
Despite now being split over two electorates, Nicholls and Bendigo, Campaspe Shire Council does not believe this change will impact any council services or advocacy.
“It is common for electoral boundaries to extend across municipal boundaries, and although Rochester and surrounding areas will be part of a different federal division, this has no impact on council services to these areas and will not diminish our commitment or ability to advocate for the needs and interests of our residents,” Mayor Rob Amos said.
The Division of Nicholls currently has part of the Mitchell Shire Council and part of the Strathbogie Shire Council, so Mr Birrell has experienced having split local council areas in his constituency.
“Strathbogie is in Nicholls and also Indi. Mitchell is in McEwen, it’s in Nicholls,” he said.
“Sometimes it can make things a bit more complex.”
He also feels that Rochester aligns more with the Goulburn Valley region rather than Bendigo, being an agriculturally minded town.
“I do sense that it sees itself as an agricultural community,” he said.
“I feel like that means it’s more associated with the Goulburn Valley than Bendigo, in my view.”
A final report with maps of the new boundaries is set to be tabled on October 17, 2024. The new divisions will be in effect from the next federal election, set to take place on or before Saturday, May 17, 2025.