Key Services Delayed in Fishermans Bend

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) has recently drawn attention to the lack of Victorian Government commitment to plans for Fishermans Bend.

In 2018 the Victorian Government released the Fishermans Bend Framework. This framework makes a clear commitment to deliver significant open space, transport, and infrastructure for the growing community. This masterplan was the product of collaboration between the CoPP, the City of Melbourne, Victorian Government, the community, and other stakeholders over several years.

Unfortunately, the promised open space and infrastructure (such as Light Rail) have not been delivered as agreed by the Victorian Government. Consequently, our local community is increasingly having to contend with congested roads and public transport.

The CoPP is encouraging residents to support their efforts to get the Victorian Government to honour its commitments. Further information and how to support Council is shown here.

No Commitment to a Tram Service for Fishermans Bend

Recently, the Minister for Public Transport, the Hon. Ben Carroll MP, released the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Tram Plan. The Minister’s statement is shown here.

Unfortunately, there was no mention of the proposed tram service for Fishermans Bend. This was promised by the Victorian Government in the 2018 Fishermans Bend Framework.

The proposed route for the Fishermans Bend service was an extension of the Collins St/Docklands route 11 service to Fishermans Bend. The service would have a line into the northern area (known as the Employment Precinct) and a service along Plummer Street to service the southern area.

The BCNA has supported the early provision of transport services into Fishermans Bend since inception of discussions about development of the area. Services are required to encourage development and new residents and to ease congestion on nearby roads. More information about the issues and the significance of a tram service was explained in a recent article in The Age.

BCNA’s Annual General Meeting

This year’s AGM will be held on the 9 November 2023 at the Sandridge Community Centre (formerly the Trugo Club) in Garden City Reserve. Members will be sent papers and further details closer to the time.

City of Port Phillip Electoral Structure Review

Changes to the Local Government Act 2020 mean that the City of Port Phillip must adopt a single-councillor ward structure.

A panel, convened by the Victorian Electoral Commission, has reported, and recommended the return to nine council electoral districts, with each councillor representing one district. That compares to the current structure where there are 3 electoral districts, with 3 councillors from each district.

A preliminary report can be viewed here. A final report from the review panel is due to be submitted to the Minister for Local Government by 13th September 2023.

An informative web site for this review can be found here.

Update on the Future of Station Pier

Recently, the BCNA met senior staff from Ports Victoria to hear an update about plans for Station Pier. This was to hear about progress concerning the Victorian Government’s announcement that it would

“...determine the most suitable option for continuing cruise shipping at Station Pier. This must balance local precinct and visitor experience outcomes with the complexity and cost of maintaining the aged heritage pier. The work will be complemented by a statewide cruise shipping strategy developed with stakeholders to maximise the economic and social benefits of cruise shipping services across regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne." (Page 9, summary)

At the meeting the BCNA was told that the Victorian Government had confirmed Station Pier would continue to be the hub for cruise shipping. Regional ports, such as Hastings, Portland and Phillip Island are to be included in the development of a Victorian Cruise Shipping Industry Strategy. A precinct plan (for the Waterfront Place precinct) is part of this strategy.

Preparing Station Pier for a Busy Cruise Season

A busy cruise season is scheduled for 2023-24. The Grand Princess, arriving on 23 October, is the first of 126 scheduled visits compared with 110 visits last season.

Ports Victoria is currently carrying out its annual routine maintenance works on the pier to protect the structure’s heritage and maintain it as a safe shipping and cruise facility. The $10 million works include the ongoing pile rehabilitation program; upgrading the pier deck; maintenance of fire services; refurbishment of the outside of the Gatehouse and testing the mooring bollards.

West Finger Pier is undergoing decking refurbishment. When completed, members of the public will be able to enjoy greater access to this pier.

BCNA Community Dinner - 6th September

The second BCNA community dinner for 2023 is being held on the Wednesday, 6th September. BCNA members have been sent details.

If you would like to attend, please contact the Treasurer to discuss membership and dinner details.

Possible Site for new Primary School

The Victorian Government’s recent State budget announced that a new primary school will open in 2026 with places for up to 650 students in the area.

The school will open for enrolments for students in Prep to Grade 6.

There has been no announcement as to location, but an article in last week’s The Age suggested that the location could be at 509 Williamstown Road. This is land currently owned by Australia Post. However, the City of Port Phillip is also interested in the same area for open space.

The City of Port Phillip’s Housing Strategy

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) is preparing a new housing strategy. The Victorian Government expects councils to take active steps to plan for growth over a 15-year period. The housing strategy is designed to ensure a range of housing opportunities are available across the municipality. It will also identify suitable locations for housing growth and change.

The CoPP released a Discussion Paper earlier this year. Amongst other things, this paper explained that the CoPP is the most densely populated local area in Victoria. Port Philip has a population density of 5,029 people per square km, compared to 493 people per square km in Greater Melbourne. Almost half of all households (49 per cent) are in rental properties, compared with less than a third (29 per cent) in Greater Melbourne.

When completed, the strategy is designed to guide the CoPP's action for those area that do not have planning controls such as Heritage Overlays, Design and Development Overlays or Neighbourhood Character Overlays. Housing in the Mirvac-planned estate in Beacon Cove is covered by Neighbourhood Character Guidelines and Neighbourhood Character Overlays, so is not in scope for CoPP'sstrategy. However, some nearby areas are. They are the Barak Road public housing area, the Wintringham Hostel area, and the older, non-Mirvac built, homes in the block bounded by Morley, Little Swallow and Swallow Street.

The next step is the release of a draft strategy. Community engagement is expected to occur early in 2024. Details of the project and the Discussion Paper released earlier this year are available here.

103 Beach Street (old Foodstore site) Update

The owners of this site have provided an update to the BCNA. Pile driving to 40 metres has now been completed. The team is currently excavating for one level of basement parking. In a couple of weeks the excavation will finish. Next, trucks will arrive to pour concrete for the basement floor and foundations. Then the walls and higher floors up will be built.

The owners predict that they will get to lockup stage around October. After this the internal fit out occurs, with expected completion in June 2024.

The number of apartments has been reduced - from 22 to 19. Car parking remains at 42. Provision has been made for a small supermarket on the ground floor.