103 Beach Street (Foodstore site) Update

The current developer of this site (Luxcon) has approval from the City of Port Phillip (Council) to build a four storey building with one level of underground parking. As we highlighted in our last update, they are seeking a new permit to build to five storeys with two levels of underground parking.

BCNA Committee members recently participated in several meetings with Luxcon representatives.

The first meeting was convened by the Council to allow Q&A with the developer and residents. The Council is reviewing the latest application and will formally consider this shortly.  

With regards to the proposed five story design, the BCNA has objected to the following attributes of the new application: 

• the west end of the car park will close, leaving only one combined entrance and exit for cars;
• space for a small supermarket is planned but a tenant has not been confirmed;
• access to any supermarket will only be from Beach St, not from Waterfront Place;
• the proposed additional level creates overshadowing onto the front pedestrian areas; and
• the existing bike path and pedestrian walkway will be further constrained alongside the tram line.

Demolition of the existing building is expected to start in June 2022. Once the design is finalised, the build is anticipated to take 12-16 months, with expectations to hit ground water at 2.5 meters. Because of this, there is anticipated to be several months of piling activity.

Garden City Reserve – BMX Pump Track

The BCNA continues to monitor the proposed development by the City of Port Phillip (Council) for a small BMX track near the playground in Garden City reserve.

A Have Your Say page was published by the Council on 23 March and onsite pop-up sessions were held to provide project information and to give community members an opportunity to ask questions about the project. The consultation identified that many members of the community around Garden City are opposed to having the BMX track at this site. The consultation also identified a covenant affecting part of the Garden City Reserve that precludes the building of the BMX track in the proposed location.

The issue was considered at the recent council meeting of 18 May and it was agreed not to pursue the BMX track in Garden City reserve. Other sites along the foreshore are being considered and more detail can be found here.