Candidates’ Forum for Council election

Four (of five) candidates standing for Port Melbourne Ward in the City of Port Phillip election participated in the BCNA organised forum on Wednesday, 9th October. In the photo, from left to right, they are Adrian King, Heather Cunsolo, Richard Whitfield and David Wright.

The forum is explained here. Janet Bolitho, a former Mayor of the City of Port Phillip has posted her personal views of the forum on her blog which may be of interest.

Noise Camera Trial to Start in NSW

A recent news item reports that the NSW Government, with NSW Police and the EPA, have decided to trial noise cameras in two local council areas. This is the first such instance in Australia. The BCNA has promoted the use of such cameras for several years now as a critical mechanism to curb the vehicle noise and hoon driving that plagues our foreshore during the warmer months.

In Victoria, the EPA has been nominated to evaluate noise cameras and, again with our advocacy, has prioritised the City of Port Phillip (CoPP). CoPP is keen to assist but the Victorian Government has not yet provided funds.

According to the World Health Organisation, noise is the second biggest environmental factor causing health problems after air pollution. Several countries are now introducing innovative technology in the form of vehicle noise cameras to address public concern. Noise cameras can detect vehicles exceeding legislated noise limits, record number plates and trigger fines.

What's Next for Fishermans Bend?

The Fishermans Bend Business Forum is hosting an event on Tuesday 15th October, 4pm to 6pm at CBCO Brewery, 89 Bertie Street, Fishermans Bend.

The event has been designed to bring together property owners, leading consultants, and key industry representatives for an exclusive, important, and informative update on the status of key projects in Fishermans Bend and plans for the near future.

Speakers will focus on what lies ahead for the next 3-5years, with presentations and panel input from the Fishermans Bend Taskforce, Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct Delivery team, the University of Melbourne, FB IDEAs, and Fishermans Bend Business Forum. Click/tap here for more details, as well as registration for the event.

Council Election Pledges 2024

The BCNA contacted the five candidates standing for Port Melbourne Ward on Saturday 20th September and invited them to respond to four questions by cob Friday 4th October.

Responses, in order of receipt, were received from David Wright, Richard Whitfield, Heather Cunsolo and Adrian King. Details are shown below.

Vehicle Noise and Hoon Driving

Hoon driving is a particular problem at Station Pier, in the Waterfront Place precinct, and in nearby streets. The candidate’s discussion includes mention of mobile CCTV by police, an acoustic camera trial, parking restrictions, more regular monitoring of parking restrictions, and traffic calming measures. Click/tap here for a summary of responses.

Waterfront Place Precinct

The area is the ‘gateway’ to Melbourne for cruise ship visitors. It is also the community hub for the Beacon Cove community. The candidates acknowledge the poor state of the area. Their discussion includes the development of a masterplan, leadership by the Victorian Government, and the role Council can play. Click/tap here for a summary of responses.

Fishermans Bend

The Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area (FBURA) is next door to Beacon Cove. Timely infrastructure provision in FBURA, or not, has an impact in nearby areas. In 2018, the Victorian Government made a commitment to introduce tram services by 2025. Click/tap here for a summary of responses.

Barak Beaon Housing Development

The Victorian Government’s redevelopment of the public housing site between Barak and Beacon Roads is underway. The candidates discuss improvements to traffic flow, parking around the estate, problems with design, problematic traffic analysis and entry/egress plans, and the lack of public transport, and amenity issues. Click/tap here for a summary of responses.

The full response from each candidate can be accessed here (click/tap on the name) for David Wright, Richard Whitfield, Heather Cunsolo and Adrian King. Sabina Sablok did not respond by the deadline for this post. We will post her response when it is received.

Don't forget that the BCNA is hosting a candidates’ forum at the Liardet Street Community Centre, 154 Liardet Street, Port Melbourne on Wednesday, 9th October commencing at 7.15 pm. Click/tap here for details.

Mexican Navy Tall Ship at Station Pier

A Mexican Navy tall ship, Cuauhtémoc, is at Station Pier and will depart on Tuesday 8 October. 

The ship is open to the public from 10am to dusk, with access through the former Freight Yard via the gate in Waterfront Place on the following days:

• Thursday 3 Oct
• Friday 4 Oct
• Sunday 6 Oct
• Monday 7 Oct

BCNA Hosting Candidates’ Forum for City of Port Phillip Council Election

The BCNA is hosting a forum for Port Melbourne Ward candidates for the forthcoming election.

It will be held at the Liardet Street Community Centre, 154 Liardet Steet, Port Melbourne from 7.15 pm (for 7.30 pm start) on Wednesday 9th October.  It is expected to finish between 9.00 and 9.30 pm.

Four (of the five) candidates have now accepted our invitation. We anticipate allowing approximately 20 minutes per candidate for a speech and questions. Candidates will only be allowed to speak to attendees and not to interject or question each other.

The BCNA believes it is important that members scrutinise the policies for all candidates before casting your vote. This forum provides an opportunity to do this and to ask questions. We hope you will attend, and it is suggested to come early as the forum is open to the public.

Separately, the BCNA has sent written questions to the candidates about hoon driving and related noise, the poor state of the Waterfront Place precinct, the promised tram services by the Victorian Government into Fishermans Bend and the Barak Beacon housing redevelopment as explained here. Their responses to our questions will be posted on our website soon after the 4th October.

Navy Ship Visiting Station Pier

If you heard gunfire from Station Pier on Friday afternoon, it was from HMAS Arunta (using blank rounds) in preparation for a ceremonial volley at 8 pm.

 

Ports Victoria notified BCNA late Thursday that HMAS Arunta was arriving at Station Pier on Friday morning, 20th September. It is staying for several days.

The RAN is holding a Ceremonial Sunset event on the ship on Friday evening which will include a gunfire volley of blank rounds. The ceremonial volley is scheduled for 8pm.

City of Port Phillip Elections 2024

This year’s City of Port Phillip council election is the first under the new Ward structure (explained here).

Nominations for this year’s election have now closed. There are five candidates for the one vacancy for Port Melbourne Ward. Names and contact details are shown on the Victorian Electoral Commission’s website.

The BCNA will follow the same approach as we have done for recent elections. That is, the President and Secretary will attempt to meet each candidate so that they have an opportunity to discuss our interests and concerns. Simultaneously, we will send them questions on four local issues. This election we are asking candidates about their views, if elected to Council, about hoon driving and related noise, the poor state of the Waterfront Place precinct, the promised tram services by the Victorian Government into Fishermans Bend and the Barak Beacon housing redevelopment. We will publish candidates’ responses on our web site soon after the 4th October. If you are a subscriber to our news service, you will automatically receive the responses.

Guided Tour of Station Pier

The CEO of Ports Victoria has invited BCNA members to a guided tour of the Pier. Members will be sent details shortly.

If you are not a member of BCNA and would like to join the tour, please contact the treasurer about becoming a member. Click/tap here for a membership form.

City of Port Phillip Elections 2024

The 2024 Victorian local council election will be held in October, by postal ballot. The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) will send ballot packs with instructions to all enrolled voters in Port Phillip in early October.

The current Ward structure was changed by the Victorian Government after the last election in favour of one Councillor per Ward. Many BCNA members will now be in the new Port Melbourne Ward. This Ward is bounded by Todd Road, Williamstown Road, a section of Bay Street, Liardet Street, Pickles Street and along the foreshore.

Click/tap here to see a map showing the new City of Port Phillip Ward structure.

  

Further details for Port Phillip can be found on the Victorian Electoral Commission’s website.

The key dates for this year’s election are:

• Candidate nominations open on Monday, 9 September
• Candidate nominations, statements, photo, and questionnaire close at 12 noon on 17 September
• Ballot papers mailed out with candidate statements from 7th October
• Voting closes at 6 pm on Friday, 25th October
• All postal votes must be received by 12 noon on Friday 1 November
• Results to be declared by 15 November

The BCNA plans to contact candidates standing for the Port Melbourne Ward to seek their views on local issues. We will publicise their responses on this site.