Boundary error forces voters over the line

According to ECQ maps, Division 3 is east of Springacre Road and Wellington Street and  south to Eprapah Creek.

Division 6 is west of Springacre Road and everything north to Eprapah Creek, excluding Redland Bay Village.

Returning officer Harold Guy declined to comment but a spokesman from the Electoral Commission said the mistake affected 488 voters and was due to a mapping error.

"This means some people in Division 6 were incorrectly assigned to Division 3, and vice versa," the commission said.

The electoral roll was corrected on Thursday and the electoral commission will write to each affected voter to inform them of the mistake.

The commission will also provide instructions to voters to ensure they receive the correct ballot papers.

The mistake mainly affected voters in Thornlands along Venn Parade, Meadowlands Road and Luke Street who are in Division 3.

The spokesman thanked Redland City Bulletin for helping to correct the administrative error, first pointed out by Division 3 candidate Paul Golle.

Mr Golle said the mistake came to light when residents applied for postal votes and received a pack from the commission stating they were in Division 6 , when electoral maps showed the area in Division 3.

"This is a critical mistake and will affect voting outcomes," Mr Golle said. 

"Residents who rang the ECQ on Wednesday said they were met with a 'too bad attitude', stating that the ECQ was aware of the problem, but could not do anything about it.

"I know of voters leaving the area on Monday morning and won't return until after the election and they are long-term Redlanders and are perplexed at the lack of care from the ECQ."

Division 6 candidate Julie Talty said ECQ confirmed the boundaries were finalised in a recent review and all errors would be fixed so electors would be able to vote in their correct division.

"I certainly hope this is correct," she said.

Anyone who is unsure of their division should contact the commission.