Update on Candidates’ Forum for State Election 2026

Since our last update, we have heard that a new candidate will contest the District of Albert Park. The candidate is Daniel O’Neill, Animal Justice Party.

The BCNA is sponsoring a Forum to Meet the Candidates to be held at 7pm on 22 October. Promotion of the Forum is underway through local and social media and a flyer has been produced. Everyone in Port Melbourne is warmly invited to attend, please spread the word.

Booking is necessary. This is to help organisers to manage expected numbers. Click/tap here to register.

Recap of BCNA’s Annual General Meeting

The BCNA held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 24th September. This meeting is rapidly becoming a key source of local news. This year, with three local representatives in attendance, the evening ended up being a detailed outline of progress across a wide range of Port Melbourne issues.

The Guest Speaker was Councillor Alex Makin, Mayor of the City of Port Phillip. He mentioned the following:

• The acoustic camera trial expected to be installed by the end of 2026 - he complimented Nina Taylor MP for her advocacy about this;
• Boom gates may be possible at Waterfront Place; and
• Council is working with Port Melbourne Business Association (PMBA) to make Bay street look less drab and that Council is hoping to activate the site of the old Telstra building at corner of Bay and Liardet Streets until the new building commences (in Council terminology, activation means taking appropriate action to enable some public use of a site).

Port Melbourne Ward Councillor Heather Cunsolo mentioned: 

• Possible activation of the land at 1-5 Waterfront Place until construction of the new building commences;
• The Barak Beacon development will have a café, parks, and gardens and that they will be open to the community; and
• A new pedestrian crossing on Beacon Road towards Beach Street and that the State Government has not agreed to car activated traffic lights at the intersection of Beacon Road and Williamstown Road. 

Ms. Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, mentioned:

• Her advocacy for a precinct plan for Waterfront Place;
• Future uses of the freight yard near Station Pier as Ports Victoria only requires about 30 per cent of the area;
• The cruise ship strategy rests with the Minister for Tourism;
• The Victorian Government has increased bus services in Fishermans Bend;
• There has been a quality fit out in apartments at the Barak Beacon development; and
• Recently released crime statistics which shows crime is too high and that more needs to be done.

Click/tap here for a summary of the meeting and the President's Report.

State Election 2026 - Questions to Candidates

Since our last update the BCNA has sent questions to candidates standing for the District of Albert Park. We ask about their reasons for nominating, priorities for Albert Park and for Victoria, and then ask about support for new housing, the City of Port Phillip’s planning provisions, anti hooning measures, the Station Pier and the Waterfront Place precinct, Fishermans Bend, and Community Safety. Click/tap here for the specific questions we asked.

We have asked candidates to return their responses by 8th October. We will post them on this website soon after 8th October.

AGM Reminder - This Thursday

The BCNA’s AGM is being held this Thursday, 24th September at the Sandridge Community Centre (formerly the Trugo Club), 1 Tucker Avenue, Port Melbourne. Members are asked to arrive at 7 pm for a 7.15 pm start.

Our Guest Speaker is the Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin. Short reports will also be provided by Nina Taylor MP, State Member for Albert Park, and Councillor Heather Cunsolo.

This is an opportunity to hear about work on local issues and to ask questions. Members and non-members are welcome. Non-members will be able to join BCNA at the AGM.

Candidates’ Forum for State Election 2026

We’re pleased to share that, following our announcement of election activities, the BCNA and the Fishermans Bend Business Forum (FBBF) are working together to host a candidates’ forum for the District of Albert Park.

Venue: Sandridge Events Centre, Gate 3, 200/201 Ingles Street, Port Melbourne.

 

Date: Thursday 22 October

Time: 6:30 for 7pm start

We look forward to welcoming the following known candidates:

• Nina Taylor MP (ALP)
• Sonya Semmens (Greens)
• Georgie Dragwidge (Independent)
• Tammy Lindrum (One Nation)
• Colleen Bolger (Victorian Socialists)
• Andrew Cook (Liberals) 

Everyone in Port Melbourne is warmly invited to join us. We’ll share more details closer to the date and hope to see you there.

BCNA’s September Dinner

Members and friends came together for a wonderful evening at the BCNA dinner on 2nd September. Held at Marina Bay, 11 Waterfront Place, it was a lovely opportunity to catch up and enjoy each other’s company.

During the evening, President Tim Norman shared a brief update on key local matters, including hoon driving and the Waterfront Place Precinct.

If you haven’t joined us before, we’d be delighted to welcome you next time. It’s a relaxed and enjoyable way to meet neighbours, stay connected and be part of our community.

State Election 2026

In recent years, the BCNA has asked candidates standing for Council, State and Federal elections for their views on important local issues. We post responses on our website. We will be doing this for the upcoming state election in November, for candidates standing for Albert Park. At this stage the known candidates are Nina Taylor – Labor, Sonya Semmens – Greens and Georgie Dragwich– Independent.

This year we are teaming up with the Fishermans Bend Business Forum (FBBF) to host a Candidates’ Forum. The proposed date is 15 October 2026. The focus will be on Port Melbourne and Fishermans Bend. The format is expected to allow a short time for candidates to introduce themselves and their priorities for our area, a series of formal questions on the priorities that BCNA and the FBBF perceive relevant, and open questions from the floor.

Save the date and details will be circulated once they are finalised.

Station Pier Open to the Public

Ports Victoria has told us that the pier is open to the public on weekends and public holidays. It is not open when cruise ships are at berth or when maintenance works make it unsafe for the public.

2026 Council Community Satisfaction Survey

Each year the City of Port Phillip (Council) participates in a community satisfaction survey run by Victorian Government. The BCNA encourages residents to participate and reports the results.

This year Council’s score was 57, roughly in line with the state-wide average of 58.  But this was seven points less than the Metropolitan Council benchmark of 64.

Council scored well in the areas of Customer Service and Waste Management but had a poor score on the Spending of Public Funds in ways that that benefits the community. Click/tap here for the full report.

BCNA Dinner

If you’d like to meet some Beacon Cove neighbours, the BCNA Committee, and have a good night out at a local restaurant, you may wish to attend the next BCNA social dinner on Wednesday 2 September.

 

Full details have been sent to members but if you’re not a member, just email Mary Barry, and she’ll give you some details.