Navy Ships at Station Pier

A French navy ship, the Auguste Benedix, is at Station Pier until Monday 16th March. It will not be open to the public. Click/tap here for details about the ship.

HMAS Ballarat, an Anzac class frigate, is arriving on Friday 13th March and departing on Tuesday 17th March. The City of Ballarat has organised a ‘Freedom of Entry’ ceremony for the ship’s crew on Sunday 15th March. Click/tap here for details.

Council Seeks Victorian Government Funds for Acoustic Camera Trial

At its meeting on 4th March, the City of Port Phillip passed a motion seeking Victorian Government support and funding for an acoustic camera trial in the City of Port Phillip. This was introduced by Councillor Heather Cunsolo and passed unanimously. The motion also requests the Mayor to write to various state government representatives to promote this cause. It also proposes that council officers investigate the NSW trial of this technology.           

The President of the BCNA, Tim Norman, spoke in support of the motion as did Heather Brown, a member and resident of Beach Street. Pleasingly, the topic generated media coverage such as this.

Suggest Locations for Speed Cameras

BCNA representatives recently met local police to discuss measures that can be used to manage hoon activity. Speeding is often involved. Police reminded us that the community can suggest ‘speed areas’ where cameras could be placed. Click/tap here to do so.

CCTV Information Session in Port Melbourne

The City of Port Phillip (Council) is arranging information sessions to explain the role out of the expansion of CCTV coverage that was recently announced by the Mayor, Alex Makin. Bay Street is included in the program.

Details about the CCTV expansion will be explained at an information session on Wednesday 11th March, from 6 to 7.30 pm at the Port Melbourne Community Room, (Level 1), 147 Liardet Street, Port Melbourne. Bookings are essential. Click/tap here for more details and click/tap here to make a booking.

The BCNA encourages members who have views about community safety and the location of CCTV cameras to attend this meeting.

Air Quality

The BCNA has finalised a policy explaining air quality issues near Station Pier and the actions we would like to see taken by all levels of government.

Air quality has been a priority area for the BCNA for a long time. Advocacy by BCNA led to the Victorian Government implementing two air quality monitoring programs at Station Pier. First in 2016-18, the second in 2023-24. Air quality has much improved since the relocation of the Spirit of Tasmania ferries in 2022 and improvements in ship fuel quality since 2020.

Community Local Law Amendment

The City of Port Phillip (Council) is proposing a Community Local Law Amendment which allows council to respond to camps on Council land when they affect the community’s safety, wellbeing, or enjoyment of the area.

Click/tap here to provide feedback.

No News on Acoustic Camera Trial

Unfortunately, there is no indication that the Victorian Government will announce an acoustic camera trial soon. This was one of the outcomes of a meeting BCNA had with Nina Taylor MP on Monday 16th February. It follows a Community Policing Forum on 5th February where Victoria Police mentioned that the Victorian Government had approved funding. Click/tap here for more information.

Road Safety at Beacon Road and Williamstown Road Intersection

The BCNA also discussed with Nina Taylor road safety at the intersection of Beacon Road and Williamstown Road. The BCNA asked her to request that the Department of Transport install car activated traffic lights rather than pedestrian activated lights at this intersection. This intersection is already dangerous and will become more so as more motorists seek to turn right onto Williamstown Road once the Barak Beacon housing development is completed later this year.

Waterfront Place Update

We also got an update on the Waterfront Place precinct.  Ms Taylor stated that she would apply for a Development Victoria grant to develop a masterplan for the precinct. She asked the BCNA for details as the BCNA has advocated for a masterplan. For example, at a meeting with the Victorian Government’s Minister for Ports and Freight, The Hon. Melissa Horne MP, in October 2023. The masterplan is described on the final page of BCNA’s presentation.

More Public CCTV in Bay Street

The City of Port Phillip Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin, joined Josh Burns, MP, Federal Member for Macnamara, on Monday 16th February to announce that the City of Port Phillip is partnering with the Australian Government to improve safety and security for community and local business.

 

The Federal Government has provided $1.5 million to increase public place CCTV across the City of Port Phillip through the installation of new systems in key retail precincts in Port Melbourne, Balaclava, and South Melbourne. Bay Street is included in the program. The new systems will complement the existing CCTV network across St Kilda which is currently being renewed by City of Port Phillip. The project will also include the purchase of a mobile CCTV trailer to provide additional surveillance in areas with increased antisocial behaviour. This new purchase follows an earlier purchase of a mobile CCTV trailer sought by BCNA in 2021.

Click/tap here for more details about the new CCTV program in the City of Port Phillip.