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The booming population growth on Edmonton’s south side is prompting city staff to recommend seven neighbourhoods switch wards before the next civic election.

The change would see the 10,891 residents of Jackson Heights and Kiniski Gardens switch north to Ward 11, currently held by Coun. Mike Nickel, from Ward 12, currently held by Coun. Moe Banga.

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Residents of Brander Gardens, Ramsay Heights, Rhatigan Ridge, Bulyea Heights and Brookside would switch from Ward 9, currently held by Coun. Bryan Anderson, to Ward 10, currently held by Coun. Michael Walters. That shift involves 14,814 residents.

That’s not going to make members of the “highly prolific” Terwillegar Riverbend advisory council happy, Coun. Bryan Anderson said. The council is a coalition of community leagues that sees itself as a town within the city, organizing recreation events and advocating on the behalf of the area.

The proposed boundary change will divide that area in half. “But if it has to happen, it has to happen,” Anderson said. “The proposal (administration) is making doesn’t split community leagues, but it splits a coalition of community leagues.”

The changes would take effect for the next election in October 2017. Following that election, administration is scheduled to undertake a boundary review that could increase the number of councillors and make other changes across the city, Anderson said.