Events for your Diary

March
  • Sat 16, 9:30-10:30am: Love our Streets, meeting at Edwards Park, corner of Dow & Liardet Streets
  • Thu 21, 6pm: BCNA Community Dinner

  • April
  • Sat 6, 9-10am: Beach Patrol, meeting at Princes Pier
  • Sat 20, 9:30-10:30am: Love our Streets, meeting at 109 tram terminus

  • May
  • Sat 4, 9-10am: Beach Patrol, meeting at Centenary Bridge Pylon between Station Pier and Port Melbourne Yacht Club
  • Sat 18, 9:30-10:30am: Love our Streets, meeting at Olive’s Corner, corner of Bay & Liardet Streets
  • Latest News

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

    Friday 28 February 2020

    Progress on 103 Beach Street (Foodstore Site)

    Since the issuing of a planning permit last November the developer has been preparing plans for endorsement by the City of Port Phillip (CoPP). Plans are expected to be submitted to the CoPP in 3-4 weeks.

    The development is for a four-level building comprising a café and supermarket on the ground floor, underground car park and 12 apartments.

    Once the CoPP endorses the plans the developer must obtain the consent of Mirvac under the covenants for the site. Pre-selling of apartments will then occur. The building phase is expected to take about 18 months.

    The BCNA recently met CoPP staff to discuss improved safety for cyclists, pedestrians and tram users at the eastern edge of the site.

    Fishermans Bend Forum

    The University of the Third Age Port Phillip is hosting a forum on Fishermans Bend on Saturday 21 March from 2.30 to 4pm. The speakers are Janet Bolitho (Fishermans Bend Development Board member and former Mayor of the City of Port Phillip), Bernadene Voss (Mayor, City of Port Phillip) and Rob McGauran (Director, MGS architects). Further details are shown here.

    Mid-season Review of Crew Club

    The Crew Club has been operating since 3 November 2019 from the rear of Mr Hobson restaurant. It has welcomed over 1400 crew from 61 Ships. At a mid-season review in January, the parties agreed to continue the trial for the remainder of the cruise season. However, it was decided to relocate the service to West Finger Kiosk.

    The most popular services have been free WiFi, the exchange of currency, the purchase of phone cards and local information such as the nearest supermarket, shops and basketball courts. The Crew Club will be managed and manned by the Mission to Seafarers and Waterfront Welcomers for the remainder of the season.

    Saturday 22 February 2020

    Update on Fishermans Bend

    The BCNA representatives recently met Tania Quick, General Manager of the Fishermans Bend Taskforce to hear about progress. We heard that the project has been delayed due to losses of staff, no quick replacement of staff, and changes in Ministerial responsibilities. This means that the draft Precinct plans have not been released (they were due first half 2019) and the Infrastructure Contributions Plan has been delayed (this was due in the First Quarter 2019). The Infrastructure Contributions Plan and a Funding and Finance Strategy are now expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

    The Department of Transport is developing a Business Case for tram and rail provision which will be considered in the May 2021 Victorian Government Budget. Two tram spur lines are being considered once the line crosses from the CBD into the Lorimer Precinct:
    • One would be into the Employment Precinct to service businesses such as the proposed University of Melbourne School of Engineering and the former GMH site
    • the other would be along Plummer Street in the Wirraway Precinct where residential apartments are being constructed.
    Indicative tram (dashed blue) and rail (red/orange/yellow) routes can be seen in the 2018 Fishermans Bend Framework:


    The BCNA will be writing to the Hon. Gavin Jennings MP, Minister for Priority Precincts, and to the Treasurer urging early provision of tram and rail services. This is needed to encourage investment and new residents into Fishermans Bend. It will also ease congestion on Williamstown Road and other nearby roads.

    Support for East Gippsland

    The Port Melbourne Business Association (PMBA) has established a ‘sister’ relationship with Lakes Entrance through their Business Associations. This is designed to help them get back on their feet after the recent fires.

    The Lakes Entrance community has been hit hard by the loss of tourism spending in the area. The PMBA is encouraging the Port Melbourne community to help by visits to the area, buying produce and encouraging sporting clubs to arrange fixtures. The BCNA encourages members to consider ways that they might support the Lakes Entrance community.

    More details about the PMBA initiative can be found here. The initiative will be launched at a public event from 6 to 7 pm on Thursday, 27th February at the Port Melbourne Town Hall.