Narangba anger: don’t split our suburb

Read more about the electoral proposed electoral boundary changes here.

Opposition is growing in a key Moreton Bay suburb to proposals which, it is claimed, will “split the community”.

Planned changes to state electorate boundaries in Narangba will see 3000 residents, two schools, sports clubs, a shopping centre and the MP’s office switch divisions.

As part of statewide proposals, Kurwongbah would lose part of Narangba and Burpengary to Morayfield and part of Petrie to Murrumba, but gain most of Dakabin from Murrumba.

Queensland Redistribution Commission (QRC) plans include using Young Rd, Narangba, as a new boundary between the electorates of Kurwongbah and Morayfield.

This would see Narangba Valley High and State Schools, Narangba Valley Shopping Centre and Shane King’s Kurwongbah electorate office move into ‘Morayfield’.

If changes are approved, Mr King said switching his office (from Morayfield back to Kurwongbah) will cost “taxpayers money”.

Mr King also believes leaving his office on the ‘Morayfield’ side of Young Rd, will create confusion for residents and complications if the two seats were held by opposing parties.

“The proposed changes needlessly impact school communities, currently drawn predominantly from within the Kurwongbah electorate, splitting students and families between two electorates,” he said.

The State Member for Kurwongbah says balancing the electorates could be achieved by Morayfield absorbing more of Burpengary, rather than Kurwongbah.

Darren Magin, President of Narangba Eagles Football Club, said in a submission, there are “concerns” about the changes splitting Narangba Valley’s community.

“We have a strong, cohesive community in Narangba Valley,” he wrote, “the changes for our part of Narangba are confusing and many members in our club have aired their concerns.”

Glenn Space, from Narangba Valley Tavern, said the changes would move “our organisation outside the boundary we have supported - and been supported by” for more than 20 years.

Dave Coons, on behalf of Narangba Valley State School P&C, said “the changes proposed for Narangba “don’t appear sensible - please reconsider”.

“Under the proposed boundaries our school community would be split between two electorates complicating protocols for services and donations,” he said.

Danielle Callon said the proposals “would be unnecessarily disruptive to existing infrastructure, facilities and funding for this area”.

Melissa Tonna said “just leave things alone” and Ankita Cromb says change will make it difficult to “advocate for issues that affect our whole community”.

The QRC reviews enrolment numbers in Queensland’s 93 electoral districts and adjusts boundaries to ensure each district remains in 10 per cent of the average enrolment quota.

Under the proposals Moreton Bay will get a new district of Caboolture, “significant changes” to Morayfield, Pumicestone and Glass House - and have Bancroft as Deception Bay.

Abraham Gubler also objects to the electorate of Bancroft being changed to Deception Bay and any shortened uses of the new name. He suggests turning Bancroft into North Lakes.

Comments on objections to the proposed redistribution are open until April 30. Click here.