Update on Plans for the Ground Floor at 103 Beach Street

The BCNA has received positive responses to the proposed plan to vary the layout of the ground floor at 103 Beach Street as explained earlier.

The owners have since made some adjustments to the plans. They are proposing dividing the area between two 2-bedroom apartments and a café/retail outlet.

The BCNA has discussed details with representatives of the Owners Corporation (OC). We are told that there continues to be interest in the retail area. The BCNA continues to welcome feedback on the proposal to our President or Secretary.

Council Local Law Changes and Homelessness

Members may be aware that the City of Port Phillip has introduced new local law powers allowing authorised officers, in some circumstances, to remove and impound belongings and camping equipment from people sleeping rough in public places (for more details, refer to the proposal put to the council). The Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin has also explained the changes.

The policy has generated significant community discussion across Port Phillip, including concerns about its humanity and how it will operate in practice. The council has stated that the powers are intended to address public safety and anti-social behaviour issues and that they will be used as a last resort, with outreach services notified before any action is taken.

The BCNA supports a safe, welcoming, and accessible community for all who live in and visit Port Melbourne. At the same time, we recognise that homelessness is a complex social issue requiring compassionate and long-term responses.

Consistent with the views expressed by many Port Phillip residents during Council consultation, the BCNA encourages the Council to exercise these powers sparingly, respectfully and with compassion and assistance to affected individuals by prioritising outreach, support services, and housing solutions as the primary response to homelessness.

Plans for the Ground Floor at 103 Beach Street

The Owners Corporation (OC) for 103 Beach Street has contacted BCNA to say they, together with the developer, plan to submit revised plans for the ground floor to the City of Port Phillip. The owners will be seeking approval for change of use for this area.

The original design allowed the full ground floor to be available for retail and hopefully, a small supermarket. The OC has emphasised that considerable effort has been made to secure a retail lease/supermarket. However, this has been unsuccessful after extensive searches. Considering this, the OC is of the view that it is best to adjust the configuration to fill the ground level and complete the building. The revised plan is to use the Waterfront Place side of the ground floor for retail use and the Beach Street side to create 2 apartments.

The OC hopes to attract a retail outlet similar to Gumtree (in Albert Park), providing coffee, lunches, wine, cheeses & grab and go dinners. We have been told that this smaller configuration has sparked  interest from an established provider of this type of service.

The front facade on the building will remain unchanged.

The BCNA will be considering the plans shortly. In the meantime, feedback on the proposal is welcome by emailing our President an/or Secretary.

New Local Group to Coordinate Action against Hoon Driving and Vehicle Noise

The BCNA welcomes the formation of a new WhatsApp group to add support against hoon driving and excessive vehicle noise in the Station Pier area. We will continue to share information and work with this group.

The BCNA has been active on hoon driving and excess noise since 2021. In 2022 our advocacy led to Council’s purchase of their first mobile CCTV. We have continued to advocate for more action and the greater use of technology such as CCTV and acoustic cameras. Recent announcements on these items can be found here and here.

Spirit of Tasmania Ferry at Station Pier

Ports Victoria has notified us that the new Spirit of Tasmania V arrived recently from Europe, after circumnavigating Africa, and will be berthed at Station Pier until about 7th June. She joins her sister ship, Spirit IV, which is berthed in Williamstown and can be seen from our foreshore. Both ships are here  temporarily while work is done onboard and the dock in Devonport is renovated to accommodate the larger ferries. Later in 2026, they will start service between Corio Quay and Devonport.TT Lines, the operator of the ferry service, may offer ticketed vessel tours during the time the ferries are in port.

1-5 Waterfront Place

Since our last update we have heard that the City of Port Phillip has approved plans for the site.

We have been unsuccessful in contacting the builder to find out the start date.

Our Newsletter is Out

Volunteers will be delivering our latest newsletter to residences over the coming days. This issue includes news on:

Community safety

• 103 Beach Street
• The Barak Beacon public housing site in Port Melbourne
• Council seeks Victorian Government funds for acoustic camera trial
• Report hoon driving and related noise.
• Joining the BCNA – we encourage all those receiving the newsletter to become a member of the BCNA

The BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing and Kosdown Press, 10 Rocklea Drive, Port Melbourne for folding the newsletter.

Click/tap here to download the newsletter.

The Barak Beacon Public Housing Site

There will be 408 dwellings on the site between Barak and Beacon Roads. The project is on track and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. New residents are expected soon after.

The BCNA welcomes the redevelopment which will provide a range of rental options, including social, affordable rental, market rental, and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). Planned additions to local community facilities include a new multipurpose community room and space for a new café and for a social enterprise to use. Click/tap here for details.

That said, the BCNA is disappointed that there has been no action to improve access to public transport, green space, and local roads to cope with the expected increase of more than eight hundred permanent residents. We have raised our concerns with Homes Victoria and with Nina Taylor MP, State Member for Albert Park.

The BCNA continues to monitor the construction development and has assisted nearby residents to resolve issues with the builder.

ANZAC Commemoration and Naval Ship Visits

This year’s Port Melbourne Anzac Commemoration will be held at the WW1 Memorial, corner of Bay and Beach Streets, from 10 am to 11 am on Saturday. Beach Street will be closed from Bay Street through to Princes Street from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm to accommodate the service.

This year two Australian Navy ships will be at Station Pier over the Anzac weekend. They are HMAS Stuart, an Anzac Class frigate and HMAS Brisbane, a Hobart Class guided missile destroyer. Both ships are arriving on Thursday, 23rd April and departing on Monday 27th April. They follow the recent visit of a Japanese naval ship JS Kumano where an agreement to purchase Japanese frigates was signed.

A Great Night Out with BCNA

BCNA members and friends gathered on 16th of April for a relaxed and enjoyable evening at Mascalzone Restaurant, 55 Beach Street.

During the night, our President Tim Norman provided a brief update on key local issues, including hoon driving, Waterfront Place Precinct, 1-5 Waterfront Place highlighting BCNA’s ongoing advocacy on behalf of members and residents.

If you have not joined us yet, we would love to welcome you - it is a great way to stay connected and be part of the community.