Logan, Redland voters brace for state seat shake-ups

A state electoral shake-up could see a new seat in Logan and new names for existing seats while some Redland suburbs are expected to shift into new electorates, leaving thousands of voters in limbo.

Redland city’s three state seats and Logan City’s five state seats are expected to undergo some changes – including a new seat and new names. These are the enrolment figures for the seats and what voters could expect.

Thousands of voters in Redland and Logan face being shifted into new state electorates as Queensland’s Redistribution Commission grapples with wild population imbalances ahead of the 2025 state redistribution.

Fresh enrolment figures show some electorates are bursting at the seams while others are shrinking, forcing major boundary changes that will redraw the political map of southeast Queensland.

Redland and parts of Logan are both in line for significant adjustments under the review, with submissions this week from political parties and residents laying out competing visions.

REDLAND CITY SEATS

CAPALABA has 37,988 voters, 5.65 per cent under the state’s average. While that keeps it in quota now, by 2032 it is projected to fall to 14.48 per cent under quota. The seat will need to gain thousands of voters, likely from Brisbane suburbs such as Chandler, Gumdale or Wakerley.

The state seat of Capalaba, currently held by LNP’s Russell Field, is likely to have to include some Brisbane suburbs in the future.

OODGEROO is already 12.21 per cent under quota with 35,350 voters and will fall further to 15.34 per cent under by 2032. It will almost certainly expand inland, taking in areas such as Thornlands, Birkdale or Thorneside to bring numbers back up.

Oodgeroo, which is currently held by LNP MP Amanda Stoker includes North Stradbroke Island.

REDLANDS, by contrast, is comfortably in quota with 43,404 voters — 7.8 per cent above the average — and projected to remain stable at 6.72 per cent over quota in 2032. Only minor tweaks are expected for voters in Victoria Point, Redland Bay and the southern bay islands.

The state seat of Redlands is currently held by LNP MP Rebecca Young and is expected to record a population increase.

LOGAN CITY SEATS

The seat of Logan is one of the state’s biggest headaches. With 51,432 voters, which is 27.74 per cent over quota, and projected to blow out to 67,441 by 2032 (50.95 per cent over quota), it cannot survive in its current form. The seat will be carved up to create a brand new electorate, most likely centred on Flagstone, Yarrabilba and Jimboomba. Voters in those suburbs can expect to find themselves in a brand new seat with a new name and representative.

This is what the data is hinting at for Logan City’s five state seats.

Springwood, with 37,187 voters, sits 7.64 per cent under quota and is projected to fall to 15.78 per cent under by 2032. It will have to expand into nearby suburbs such as Rochedale South, Carbrook or Cornubia. A renaming to Daisy Hill has also been flagged.

Waterford is steady, with 40,494 voters, which is 0.57 per cent above quota, and projected to remain almost exactly on target in 2032. Only minor adjustments are expected.

Woodridge is also stable at 41,671 voters (3.49 per cent above quota), projected to slip slightly to 1.9 per cent under quota by 2032. It may see boundary tidying but no major changes.

Macalister has 42,889 voters, 6.52 per cent over quota, and will remain healthy at 6.48 per cent over in 2032. It is expected to hold its shape, though it could shed or absorb suburbs around Beenleigh, Loganholme or Bahrs Scrub to help balance its neighbours.

The existing state boundaries will have to be changed to allow for increases in population in parts including Redland Bay and Yarrabilba.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR VOTERS

For Redland city residents, the biggest shifts are likely to come in Capalaba and Oodgeroo, where many residents will find themselves voting in new electorates. In Logan, the creation of an entirely new seat carved out of the existing seat of Logan could mean tens of thousands of voters in the southern growth belt will face a new electorate. Macalister could also be renamed.

The Liberal National Party floated a return to historic names, suggesting Oodgeroo be renamed with a return to Cleveland.

The party also proposed moving Carbrook from Macalister into Redlands, splitting Mount Cotton and Sheldon between Redlands and Capalaba, and extending Oodgeroo south into Thornlands.

These moves, the LNP argued, would better align communities and restore traditional boundaries.

Local residents backed parts of this push.

Redland City councillor Rowanne Mackenzie suggested shifting parts of Redland Bay and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands into Springwood.

In his submission, Mount Cotton man John Talty, who is the husband of Redland City deputy mayor Julie Talty, and others argued Mount Cotton and Sheldon had stronger ties to Redlands than Springwood, citing shared schools, civic facilities and community services.

The ALP’s submission pushed for Capalaba to absorb parts of Thornlands from Redlands, offset by shifts between Oodgeroo and Capalaba.

The Labor Party also suggested Springwood be renamed Daisy Hill, with boundaries reoriented around the Pacific Highway.

For Logan voters, the most dramatic change under the ALP plan might be the creation of a new electorate in the city’s booming southern fringe, centred on Jimboomba and Flagstone.

A Jimboomba-based electorate, they suggested, could help absorb rapid growth in Yarrabilba and Flagstone.

The ALP argued these changes would respect natural boundaries such as the Logan River, better reflect commuting patterns, and avoid splitting suburbs.

None of these proposals are final.

The Greens also made suggestions to change the name of Macalister to Dugulumba, and Waterford to Berrinba, centred on a major sports complex and the Logan River.

The QRC will now review all submissions before releasing draft boundaries, which will then be opened for further public consultation.

The Redistribution Commission will release draft boundaries later this year, followed by another round of public consultation before the new map is finalised.

Originally published as Logan, Redland voters brace for state seat shake-ups