BCNA AGM – Summary of Meeting

The BCNA held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 18th September. For those who could not attend, here are links for:

• a summary of the meeting
• the President’s report

Guests at this year’s AGM are shown in the front row in the photo below. From left they are Councillor Heather Cunsolo, Acting Inspector Ely Reynolds, and Ms. Nina Taylor MP.

The Guest Speaker was Senior Sergeant Ely Reynolds. He is currently Acting Inspector of the Port Phillip Police Service Area. Ely spoke about this year’s high road toll, the deployment of staff to other areas, crime in Port Phillip, and the importance of reporting crime.

Ms. Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, spoke about the ongoing maintenance of Station Pier, the release of a cruise shipping strategy later this year, hoon driving and acoustic cameras, and the Barak Beacon housing project.

Port Melbourne Ward Councillor Heather Cunsolo spoke about Council’s 10-year plan, Bay Street, the Barak Beacon project, 103 Beach Street, and 1-7 Waterfront Place.

Meeting with Josh Burns, MP

The BCNA recently met Josh Burns MP, Federal Member for Macnamara, to discuss hoon driving and excessive vehicle and motorcycle noise. We discussed the role of acoustic cameras and the trials in Australia and overseas as explained here.

There is a role for the Commonwealth Government to research and review current noise ‘pollution’ created by newly imported  SuperSport motor vehicles and motorcycles. The BCNA believes the Commonwealth Government should set nationally consistent standards for all vehicles, including trucks and motorcycles, to emit noise levels at least to the current workplace standard of 85dBA. Such a standard would improve community safety, as well as lower environmental noise pollution generally.

Mr Burns agreed with the BCNA proposal to investigate the current vehicle noise emission importation standards in the light of much quieter electric cars being introduced. He aims to report back on this issue at our next regular meeting.

BCNA Welcomes City of Port Phillip Advocacy for the Redevelopment of Station Pier and Waterfront Place

The BCNA welcomes the advocacy by the City of Port Phillip for the future of Station Pier and the nearby area. Click/tap here for more details.

The BCNA has been advocating for Victorian Government leadership to revitalise Station Pier and the Waterfront Place precinct for some years. Unfortunately, the area presents a poor image to visitors. It lacks shops, amenities and attractions for residents and visitors and is very weather exposed. This and other weaknesses are well known.

The development of a Victorian Cruise Shipping Strategy by Ports Victoria, as explained in the Victorian Government’s 2022 Navigating our Port Futures Strategy, is one way the Victorian Government could lead redevelopment of the area. The BCNA participated in discussions to develop a cruise shipping strategy earlier this year.