Update on Ground Floor Plans for 103 Beach Street

The BCNA has been contacted by the City of Port Phillip’s planning department to say that they have approved a change of use for the ground floor. Members will be aware that the ground floor is currently vacant.

The owners sought changes to allow two apartments to be built on the northern side of the building with a small retail space to be used for delicatessen/café/groceries on the southern side (explained here). After deliberation and discussion with the owners, the BCNA committee resolved  to support the changes. This aligns with feedback received from members, which was strongly in favour.

Old Telstra Building in Bay Street

The City of Port Phillip (Council) recently approved an extension of a planning permit for the site at the corner of Bay and Liardet Streets (222-224 Bay Street). This was the former site for Telstra.

Council unanimously approved a motion that the development must commence by 30 May 2028. Pleasingly, the motion also requests officers to engage with the landowner and/or their representatives to investigate opportunities for interim activation of the site pending the commencement of development.

Reminder - BCNA Survey - Closes this Sunday (26 July)

Many thanks to those who have responded so far to our survey about BCNA social events aiming to encourage a greater sense of community in Beacon Cove.

For those that haven't responded, there is still time. The survey closes this Sunday (26 July) and should only take about five minutes.

The survey is anonymous and would be a great help to our volunteers who arrange these activities and would like to spend their time where it’s most effective.

Click/tap here to take part in the survey. 

BCNA Meeting with Council About Anti Hoon Measures.

Recently, BCNA representatives met the City of Port Phillip’s transport and planning staff at Station Pier to discuss anti hoon measures for the area. The BCNA proposed several measures designed to suppress speeding and noise. A walk along Station Pier, Waterfront Place and Beach Street promoted discussion about the options. Council staff are preparing a report for a meeting with Councillors in August and will discuss the issues with the BCNA before the meeting. 

BCNA’s 2026 Annual General Meeting

This year’s BCNA AGM will be held on Thursday 24th September at the Community Centre (formerly the Trugo Club) just off Tucker Ave in Garden City Reserve. The Guest Speaker will be Alex Makin, Mayor, City of Port Phillip. Other invited guests include Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, and Councillor Heather Cunsolo.

Members will be sent papers and further details in mid-August.

The BCNA Needs Your Feedback

One of the goals of the BCNA is the facilitation of communication and social interaction to encourage a sense of community and one of the ways we do this is by arranging social events for members of the Beacon Cove community.

To see how we are doing and how we can do better at this, we’re asking Beacon Cove residents to complete a short (five minute) survey.  The survey is anonymous and would be a great help to our volunteers who arrange these activities and would like to spend their time where it’s most effective.

Click/tap here to take part in the survey.  It closes on Sunday 26 July.

Storage of Caravans, Boats and Trailers on Council Land and Roads

At its meeting on 17th June, the City of Port Phillip unanimously passed a local law amendment which prohibits a person from storing or parking a caravan, boat or trailer on Council land or a road for a period of 14 days within a 60-day period. This follows feedback from the community and a report.

Long-term storage of caravans, boats and trailers on street can negatively affect local amenity, parking availability, and sightlines. The BCNA has received complaints about this and contacted the Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin, and Councillor Heather Cunsolo ahead of Council’s meeting to register our support for the local law amendment.

Road Safety at the Intersection of Beacon Road and Williamstown Road

This is a dangerous intersection and is more so for motorists turning right from Beacon Road into Williamstown Road during peak hours.

The BCNA discussed this with Nina Taylor MP, State member for Albert Park, last February. We urged her to seek car activated traffic lights (known as vehicle detector loops) to assist drivers as the road is the responsibility of the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and the Victorian Government.

          

Council staff have advocated for vehicle detector loops on Beacon Road and ‘Keep Clear’ line marking on Williamstown Road. However, both measures are not supported by the DTP. The BCNA will be contacting Nina Taylor to ask that she request that these measures be supported by DTP.

If you have concerns about safety and the need for vehicle detector loops, we encourage you to contact Ms Taylor at nina.taylor@parliament.vic.gov.au.

Until road safety improvements are introduced, we urge drivers to avoid turning right from Beacon Road. Choose an alternative route to get on to Williamstown Road. This intersection will become busier once the Barak Beacon housing development is completed later this year.

Increase in Annual Garbage Bin Surcharge

At a special meeting on 29th June, the City of Port Phillip Council passed the Year 2 arrangements of the long-term Plan for Port Phillip 2025-35. One of the items approved is a significant increase in the cost (to you) if you choose to use a large (240-litre) rubbish bin. The default allocation for a residence in Port Phillip is a 120-litre bin, for which there is no additional charge with your rates. However, some residents have chosen to upsize to a 240-litre bin and for that an additional charge is allocated. That charge will now increase from $290 per year to $360. If you have the largest rubbish bin, you can avoid this charge by contacting council and requesting to downsize.

Opening of Port Melbourne Migration Trail

Apologies for the late notice, but the BCNA has just received advice about the official launch of the Port Melbourne Migration Trail this Saturday, 13th June at 9.30 am. The launch will be held at the canoe sculpture near Station Pier before proceeding to the mural at the Port Melbourne Yacht Club. Following the formal proceedings there will be a complimentary sausage sizzle.