Events for your Diary

November
  • Sat 2, 9-10am: Beach Patrol, meeting at Sandridge Beach
  • Thu 14: BCNA AGM
  • Sat 16, 9:30-10:30am: Love our Streets, meeting at 109 tram terminus

  • December
  • Thu 5: BCNA Members' Dinner, Pier 35, Lorimer St
  • Sat 7, 9-10am: Beach Patrol, meeting at Princes Pier
  • Sat 14, 9:30-10:30am: Love our Streets, meeting at Olive's Corner (Liardet St, opposite Coles)
  • Latest News

    You can use the search options at lower right to find specific items.

    Tuesday 29 October 2024

    Our Newsletter is Out

    Volunteers are delivering the latest newsletter to residences over the coming days. This issue includes news on:
    • Renters are welcome to become members
    • The Barak Beacon public housing site in Port Melbourne
    • Update on 1 and 7 Waterfront Place 
    • Hoon driving and related noise.
    • Update on Foodstore redevelopment at 103 Beach Street
    • Dogs off leash in public spaces  
    • Air quality monitoring at Station Pier
    • BCNA’s residents’ dinners
    • Joining the BCNA
    The BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing and to Kosdown Press for folding the newsletter.

    Click/tap here for an electronic version of the newsletter.

    Thursday 17 October 2024

    Council Elections - Fair Access for All Candidates

    We are aware of reports that a popular Port Melbourne Facebook group is blocking posts from certain candidates in the forthcoming Council elections.

    The BCNA calls on all such groups to be even handed or at least be honest about the fact that they have an editorial policy for or against specific candidates.

    The BCNA is of the view that all candidates should have equal access to channels that enable them to inform Port Melbourne voters. We believe any restriction contravenes the principles of free speech, and unfairly promotes the political views of some candidates at the expense of others.

    Monday 14 October 2024

    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.

    Tuesday 8 October 2024

    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.

    Thursday 3 October 2024

    Mexican Navy Tall Ship at Station Pier


    A Mexican Navy tall ship, CuauhtĂ©moc, 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

    Monday 30 September 2024

    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.

    Friday 20 September 2024

    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.