Make Yamba part of Cowper: Nationals | Northern Rivers Politics | Local Politics in Northern Rivers

David Bancroft | 10th July 2009

THE NSW Nationals want Yamba taken from the Page electorate and moved into Cowper.

They also want the northern part of the Lismore local government area and areas to the west of Grafton included in Page to compensate for the loss of Yamba voters from the electorate.

These are some of the suggestions the party has made to the Australian Electoral Commission, which is investigating boundary changes to be implemented at the time of the next federal election.

In its original submission, the Nationals argued boundary adjustments were needed in Page, New England and Cowper electorates to 'better address the community of interest considerations in those areas'.

“As a result, Page needs to gain electors, which can only be achieved by adjusting the boundary with Richmond,” its submission said.

“It is suggested that more of the rural areas in the north of the Lismore local government area be added to Page. Being in close proximity to Lismore, and situated in the same local government area, there is an obvious community of interest served by this adjustment to the boundary.”

The Nationals said the Cowper electorate contained anomalies that could be addressed by including Yamba in the Cowper electorate.

“This suggestion unites the community of interest that exists between the two towns of Maclean and Yamba. Maclean is currently isolated from both Yamba in the east and Grafton in the west.”

In its submission, the Australian Labor Party proposed only one change, that Maclean be included in Page with Grafton and Yamba.

“With Page the only change we make is to add the town of Maclean from Cowper,” it said.

“Its surrounding area is already in Page.”

The Liberal Party, in its submission, recommended no changes to the Page or Cowper boundaries.

In response to the ALP submission, the Nationals argued the Cowper electorate needed a population centre in the north to 'anchor the substantial part of Cowper within the Clarence Valley local government area'.

The National Party submission would mean Ulmarra, Cowper, Maclean, Yamba, Angourie and Tucabia were in a different electorate to the rest of the Clarence Valley Council area.

Comments on the suggestions have now closed.

The National Party submission would mean that Ulmarra, Cowper, Maclean, Yamba, Angourie and Tucabia were in a different electorate to the rest of the Clarence Valley.

What do you think? Should Yamba be included in the Cowper electorate? Comment below.

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