Warragul builder Wayne Farnham is shaping up to be the Liberal Party’s replacement for Gary Blackwood.

Mr Blackwood has announced he will not be contesting next year’s State Government election for the seat of Narracan.

Mr Farnham was the only candidate to seek Liberal pre-selection for Narracan but has not yet been endorsed by the party.

He said he could not comment until the process was completed.

Mr Farnham last year stood in the central ward election for Baw Baw Shire.

Mr Blackwood is retiring after 16 years in Parliament, leaving Narracan as one of the safest seats in the state.

The Liberal Party has held Narracan for all but seven years since the seat was proclaimed in 1967.  The ALP’s Ian Maxfield served two terms from 1999 to 2006.

A redistribution of state boundaries, to come into effect at next year’s election, is forecast to strengthen the Liberal Party’s hold on the seat.

The Moe area, that traditionally has had the strongest Labor vote in Narracan, will become part of the Morwell electorate.

The ALP has not announced a candidate for Narracan.