Our Newsletter is Out

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

• Invitation to renters to become members, 
• Hoon driving and related noise.
• Update on Foodstore redevelopment at 103 Beach Street
• The Barak Beacon public housing site
• Update on 1 and 7 Waterfront Place 
• Council news affecting Beacon Cove: Dogs off leash in public spaces, and Port Phillip’s Housing Strategy 
• BCNA’s Annual General Meeting
• BCNA’s residents’ dinners
• Joining the BCNA

The BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing.

To get the electronic version of the newsletter, please click here.

Indigenous Art Market

The Port Melbourne Business Association is hosting an Indigenous Art Market on Thursday 30th November.

The community is invited to the gala opening, which is being held on Level 1, 120 Bay Street, Port Melbourne from 6 to 8.30 pm.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible by clicking here. Further details can be found by clicking here.

Dredging Near Station Pier

The Port of Melbourne has contacted us to say they have organised dredging activity at Station Pier in late November. Station Pier accommodates cruise ship visits as well as navy and other vessels throughout the year. For navigational safety reasons, the water depth must be maintained to accommodate all these ships.

For a few days in the period from mid-November to the end of November, maintenance dredging will be conducted by the Port of Melbourne. At Station Pier, dredging will be scheduled around cruise ship visits between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm Monday to Saturday and managed in accordance with EPA Regulations. If you have any questions about the dredging, contact the Port of Melbourne here.

BCNA AGM – Summary of Meeting

The BCNA held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 9th November. For those who could not attend click/tap here to read a copy of the President’s report and click/tap here for a summary of the meeting.

The Guest Speaker was The Hon. Nina Taylor MP. She spoke about the Victorian Government’s Housing Statement, the State Electricity Commission, Fishermans Bend, E scooters and vehicle noise and hoon driving.

Gateway Ward Councillors Heather Cunsolo and Peter Martin attended. Mayor Cunsolo spoke about Fishermans Bend, implications of the Victorian government’s Housing Statement, that Port Phillip will be trialling the use of acoustic cameras, E scooters, dogs off leash areas, an application from the owners of 1 and 7 Waterfront Place to delete three conditions of the planning permit, and re zoning of the area near Station Pier. BCNA will obtain details on these issues and assess the implications.

City of Port Phillip Neighbourhood Engagement Program – Sat 18 November

City of Port Phillip (CoPP) staff are conducting consultation events seeking in-person input on key CoPP projects.

Staff will be in Bay Street, Port Melbourne, outside the old Post Office/Dominos site on Saturday 18th November, from 10 am to 12 noon. Click here for more details.

Community Safety Event - Mon 20 November

The City of Port Phillip has organised a community safety event on Monday 20 November from 5.30 to 7pm in the Port Melbourne Town Hall auditorium, Level 1, 333 Bay Street.

Following a welcome by Mayor Cr Heather Cunsolo, South Melbourne Police Station Commanders will be sharing local information and will be available for a Q&A to discuss community concerns or provide any feedback on important issues in the area. Click here for more details about the event and community safety

Cr Heather Cunsolo Re-elected Mayor

Congratulations to Heather Cunsolo who was re-elected mayor of the City of Port Phillip during the week. Cr Louise Crawford was elected deputy mayor.

Update on the Future of Station Pier and the Waterfront Place Precinct

Since our recent meeting with Ports Victoria, BCNA and community representatives met the Hon. Melissa Horne MP, Minister for Ports and Freight, to discuss concerns. Also attending was our local member, the Hon. Nina Taylor MP. Community organisations and individuals at the meeting included the City of Port Phillip, Albert Park College, Port Melbourne Business Association, the Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society, the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network, Janet Bolitho (a former Mayor of the City of Port Phillip), and the BCNA.

BCNA representatives spoke about the economic significance of cruise ship tourism, the ‘run down’ appearance of the area, that there are no amenities and shops for visitors, and the need for road and transport changes to handle traffic and visitors (click here to see BCNA’s presentation). Other representatives spoke about the significant maritime heritage of Station Pier, the significance of Station Pier for migrants and the scope for improvements.

The BCNA has advocated for a Masterplan (or precinct plan) to guide development for a long time. The Mayor, City of Port Phillip, Heather Cunsolo, spoke in support of precinct planning. The Minister explained that the Victorian Cruise Shipping Industry Strategy is the responsibility of The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport, and Major Events. Precinct planning is the responsibility of the Hon. Colin Brooks, Minister for Development Victoria.

Meetings will be arranged with these Ministers.

Progress on 103 Beach St (old Foodstore site)

Since our earlier update, the owners have provided an update. The work is progressing well, and sales are on track. Settlement on properties is expected mid-2024.

BCNA Dinner - 23rd November

The third BCNA dinner for 2023 is being held on Thursday 23rd November. BCNA members have been sent details.

If you would like to attend, please contact Mary Barry to discuss details.