The Victorian Electoral Commission confirmed the new boundaries, affecting the Wimmera and Grampians regions ahead of the all-important 2022 state election.

Stawell, Great Western and much of the Ararat Rural City Council joins Horsham, Hamilton and Warracknabeal in the Lowan district. Ararat will remain in Ripon.

Emma Kealy, State Member for Lowan, welcomed her new constituents.

"A big welcome to the fabulous communities of Stawell, Great Western and Mortlake. Lowan just got a little bit bigger," she said.

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"The VEC redistribution has been finalised, and another 2,676sq km representing around 9000 electors have been added.

"This means Lowan remains the biggest and best electorate in the state with almost 20% of Victoria's land mass.

"I can't wait to spend more time in your community very soon so I can learn more about your region - what's working, what's not, and what you're proud of - and hear your thoughts how we can make your town a better place to live, work, learn and do business.

"Stay tuned for a mobile office visit in the very near future."

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The Ripon electorate, currently held by Louise Staley, will also expand to make up for the losses, taking the Invermay and Mount Rowan area from Wendouree and again following the Yarrowee for its eastern border with Eureka.

The full maps, and reports on why the changes have been made, are available online.

Redivisions take place every two state elections to rebalance districts as populations change and are based on the number of enrolled voters.

According to the Electoral Boundaries Commission, an independent statutory agency, more than one million voters will have their electorate changed in 2022, even though their address has not changed.

"The EBC does not consider the political implications of the electoral boundaries in determining boundary changes," a media release states.

The new boundaries are final and will take effect when the writ for the 2022 state election is issued.

In its report, titled 'Electoral Boundaries Commission: Report on the Redivision of Victorian Electoral Boundaries 2020-2021', the VEC noted the state electorate of Lowan had to change due to its shrinking voter population.

Despite being the largest voting electorate by geographical area in Victoria, Lowan district was 10.32 per cent below the average population and predicted to decline further.

Two feasible options emerged during the submission phase: expand southward into South-West Coast or expand east and gain electors from Ripon District.

The VEC ultimately chose the latter option, pushing the Lowan district's population 4.86 per cent beyond the average, allowing it to remain viable in the future.

Extracted from Electoral Boundaries Commission: Report on the Redivision of Victorian Electoral Boundaries 2020-2021.

"Under the first option, Lowan District would expand south to the coast, to include Portland and the whole of Glenelg Shire. This would lead to South-West Coast District shifting to the east, to be centred on Warrnambool and named after the town.

"Although this approach had some positives, the EBC decided against it. Portland is in Glenelg Shire, but it is in some ways quite distinct from the northern part of the Shire that is currently in Lowan District.

"The northern area around Casterton is rural, with an economy based largely on sheep raising, and has closer links with Hamilton (64 kilometres away) than with Portland (103 kilometres away).

"In contrast, Portland is an industrial and maritime town. It has arguably closer links with Warrnambool, along the coast than with the inland areas to the north.

"Another argument against this option was the effect on the northern end of Lowan District. Under the suggested option, Lowan District would need to shrink, shedding towns such as Warracknabeal and Murtoa, which have strong associations with Horsham, and splitting the Wimmera community that is a strong part of Lowan District's identity.

The EBC favoured the second option, to expand Lowan District to the east. In the east, the EBC proposed to transfer 5,585 electors in Stawell, Great Western and Glenorchy from Ripon District to Lowan District, using the Wimmera River as a boundary.

"This area has strong links along the Western Highway with Horsham and the Wimmera. In the south-east, the EBC proposed to transfer 1,591 electors in the Mortlake area from Polwarth District to Lowan District.

"This area has a link with Hamilton along the Hamilton Highway, and a clear eastern boundary following the Moyne Shire boundary and Mount Emu Creek. The district boundary would be strengthened by transferring 114 electors in Caramut from South-West Coast District to Lowan District.

"With these proposed additions, Lowan District's enrolment would have been 4.68% above the average, remaining comfortably within the 10% tolerance over the forecast period."

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