An inner-city suburb could be split in half under proposed Brisbane council ward boundary changes, prompting an outpouring of submissions from residents keen to keep the status quo.

The popular suburb of Newstead, tucked between Teneriffe and Bowen Hills, would be split between its current ward, Central, and the neighbouring Hamilton ward under a proposal by the Electoral Commission Queensland.

Newstead is home to the popular Gasworks shopping and lifestyle precinct.

ECQ began investigating changes to all Brisbane council ward boundaries because of rising population, publishing proposed boundary changes in August.

The number of voters per ward, or the quota, is determined by dividing the number of enrolled voters by the number of councillors (other than the mayor), plus or minus 10 per cent.