Splitting Port Augusta in two will hurt us, council tells Electoral Boundary Commission
Port Augusta is at risk of losing its voice in state parliament if electoral boundaries are redrawn to split the major regional town in two, the local council says.
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Splitting Port Augusta across two different state electorates would harm the regional city, its council has claimed.
Port Augusta Council chief executive John Banks has hit out against the proposal, saying it would lead to poorer representation of the major regional hub.
The Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission held a hearing at the Port Augusta Magistrates Court on Wednesday about possible changes to electorates.
It has been brought on by declining population in the Upper Spencer Gulf.
Submissions to the commission have suggested combining Port Augusta into one district with either Whyalla or Port Pirie – and splitting Port Augusta in half between the electorates of Giles and Stuart.
Port Augusta is currently part of Stuart, represented by Liberal MP Dan van Holst Pellekaan.
Neighbouring Giles, which covers Whyalla, is represented by Labor’s Eddie Hughes.
Mr Banks rubbished the proposal to split the town, telling the commission it would “ignore significant characteristics of the city” and “diminish electoral capacity, representation and recognition” of the town.
“Port Augusta is a major service centre for the region as well as a meeting place for outback SA residents,” Mr Banks said.
“With an estimated $5 billion in private investment in the Port Augusta district alone, the Upper Spencer Gulf is on the cusp of a significant economic transformation.”
Mayor Brett Benbow also said Port Augusta was large enough to warrant its own electorate that “must not be shared with any other city”.
“We have important infrastructure projects, services, investments, health and education departments which would not be benefited by split boundaries,” Mr Benbow said.
The possible boundary changes are being considered as part of a current electoral redistribution investigation.
The commission is chaired by Justice Trish Kelly and is comprised of electoral commissioner Mick Sherry and surveyor-general Michael Burdett.