THE biggest ward in Cardinia Shire is set to grow even larger to help cope with Pakenham’s population explosion.

Port Ward, which stretches from Lang Lang to Kooweerup and takes in almost half the shire, is expected to expand further in a looming review of council ward boundaries.

State regulations require an even spread of council representatives per head of population.

Civic leaders have been told Port Ward may have to take in an area south of Henry Road.

A report to the council’s 21 May meeting this would be the least disruptive way to ensure Cardinia’s seven wards meet the state guidelines, but the move would put residents in the Blue Horizon estate, just a couple of kilometres from Pakenham’s CBD, into Port Ward, which is predominantly a rural area.

Just one councillor — Doug Hamilton — represents Port Ward while the growth corridor around Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Officer has three representatives on the council.

The council was told the move would be only a temporary fix anyway, as continued population growth meant a full review of electoral boundaries would be needed before the 2012 shire elections.

The Victorian Electoral Commission was appointed to undertake the review of shire boundaries at a cost of about $7500.

The last full review of shire boundaries was undertaken before the 2005 election.