The Australian Electoral Commission is the midst of a year-long process to determine the extent of Victoria's federal electorate redistribution before voters go back to the polls in 2022.
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More than 100 submissions have been made by members of the public and political parties proposing changes to electoral boundaries and names.
The most notable suggestion for the Bendigo electorate comes from The Nationals, who are proposing that Maryborough be moved into the Division of Bendigo.
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"The electors of Maryborough share more of a community of interest with the electors of Bendigo than with townships like Mildura or Horsham," The Nationals' proposal said.
"The move is logical for its knock-on effects on other regional divisions and for the people of Maryborough themselves."
Maryborough is currently in the Division of Mallee, held by Nationals MP Dr Anne Webster.
To accommodate Maryborough's shift to join Bendigo, The Nationals propose Kyneton be removed from the electorate to join neighbouring McEwen.
Daylesford would leave the Division of Ballarat to join Kyneton in McEwen under The Nationals' plan.
"The moving of Kyneton and Daylesford also solves quota problems for the Division of Bendigo and Division of Ballarat," the proposal said.
"Both towns are also part of a strong community of interest with other townships in the Macedon Ranges like Gisborne and Macedon.
"Much of this community of interest would be in the Division of McEwen under our proposed boundaries."
The Division of Bendigo has been held by Labor's Lisa Chesters since 2013.
Redistribution aims to redraw electoral boundaries to ensure, as near as practicable, that each state and territory gains representation in the House of Representatives in proportion to their population and there are a similar number of electors in each electoral division.
The Australian Labor Party's only proposed change relevant to Bendigo would see a portion of the southern part of the electorate move to McEwen.
It proposes losing more than 6000 voters from Woodend, Romsey and the east and south of Kyneton, similar to the Australian Greens' suggestion that 6,140 Bendigo electors depart Woodend and shift to McEwen.
The Division of McEwen has been held by Labor's Rob Mitchell since 2010.
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The Liberal Party projects the Division of Bendigo will grow by 2,753 electors over the maximum permitted project enrolment and suggests electors currently in the Division of Bendigo in the Macedon Ranges and Mitchell Shires be transferred out of the division.
Members of the general public, town planners, political enthusiasts, experts and community advocates have also had their say on the redistribution.
Multiple respondents suggested a new electorate should be named Tucker, to recognise the work of Aunty Margaret Lilardia Tucker MBE, activist and civil rights campaigner at the forefront of bringing to light the atrocities experienced by Aboriginal Australians.
To commemorate Australia's 23rd Prime Minister Bob Hawke, the Australian Labor Party suggested the new Division of Hawke would make up Moorabool Shire from Ballarat, parts of Macedon Ranges Shire, Wallan, Melton, Melton West and Diggers Rest.
Comments on public suggestions close on Friday.
The AEC will make its determination of electorate divisions on July 26, 2021.
To view the submissions, click here.
