Buninyong residents have voiced mixed responses on the results of Saturday’s state election.

Some revealed they did not know who any of the political candidates for the electorate were, despite being at the heart of a political battle between the Liberal and Labor parties for the highly contested seat. 

But others threw support behind Mr Howard, who has been in Parliament since being elected in 1999. 

Following the election, Labor retained two key Ballarat seats with a strong swing across the state replicated in the city. 

The strong results paved the way for Ballarat West MP Sharon Knight to take up the new seat of Wendouree and, along with Mr Howard, gain another four years in Parliament.

Buninyong Bakehouse employee Julie Gallo said Buninyong residents had said the political campaigns leading up to the election had put Buninyong on the map.

“It was actually quite incredible because we had so many politicians visiting the area,” Ms Gallo said. “Every week, there was somebody new here and because it was a marginal area, they all had big interests in the needs of this community, which I think was a real positive.” 

Ms Gallo even sold a meat pie to then-premier Denis Napthine during one of his visits.

Ms Gallo added that she hoped Mr Howard’s re-election and the election of his party into government would spur them to commit to the region as they had done during the campaign.

Buninyong resident Michael Ford said Mr Howard had a stronger and more far-reaching profile than the other candidates.

He said he believed Mr Howard’s  campaign also ran more smoothly because it avoided any real controversy.

Mr Ford said while he didn’t see Mr Howard that often, when bigger issues arose he was always available to his constituents.

“He just has a presence in the community,” Mr Ford said. 

“He is always out and about. His views are more in touch with the residents living here than the Liberal candidate’s were. At every community meeting he attended, he answered questions from the public and engaged with residents. He didn’t shy away from it all.”

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Michael Ford, Buninyong: 

Geoff Howard was just a much stronger candidate. He is a political campaign warhorse who was much more engaged with the community and their needs.

People know him, they always see him out and about. 

Elise Jones, Buninyong:

Both Ben Taylor and Geoff Howard had strong campaigns that focused on families, which I supported.

I think they were equally present throughout the political campaign. Ben doorknocked our house and we had a personal phone message from Geoff left on our answering machine asking us if there was anything he could help with.

Renee Debono, Buninyong:

To be honest, I didn’t really come into contact with Geoff although I saw a lot of his poster and signage, which I think worked in his favour. I think Sonia Smith was the most present throughout the campaign because she was the one who was continually going into all the shops and speaking with the community members on the streets.