Plans for the Ground Floor at 103 Beach Street

The Owners Corporation (OC) for 103 Beach Street has contacted BCNA to say they, together with the developer, plan to submit revised plans for the ground floor to the City of Port Phillip. The owners will be seeking approval for change of use for this area.

The original design allowed the full ground floor to be available for retail and hopefully, a small supermarket. The OC has emphasised that considerable effort has been made to secure a retail lease/supermarket. However, this has been unsuccessful after extensive searches. Considering this, the OC is of the view that it is best to adjust the configuration to fill the ground level and complete the building. The revised plan is to use the Waterfront Place side of the ground floor for retail use and the Beach Street side to create 2 apartments.

The OC hopes to attract a retail outlet similar to Gumtree (in Albert Park), providing coffee, lunches, wine, cheeses & grab and go dinners. We have been told that this smaller configuration has sparked  interest from an established provider of this type of service.

The front facade on the building will remain unchanged.

The BCNA will be considering the plans shortly. In the meantime, feedback on the proposal is welcome by emailing our President an/or Secretary.

New Local Group to Coordinate Action against Hoon Driving and Vehicle Noise

The BCNA welcomes the formation of a new WhatsApp group to add support against hoon driving and excessive vehicle noise in the Station Pier area. We will continue to share information and work with this group.

The BCNA has been active on hoon driving and excess noise since 2021. In 2022 our advocacy led to Council’s purchase of their first mobile CCTV. We have continued to advocate for more action and the greater use of technology such as CCTV and acoustic cameras. Recent announcements on these items can be found here and here.

Spirit of Tasmania Ferry at Station Pier

Ports Victoria has notified us that the new Spirit of Tasmania V arrived recently from Europe, after circumnavigating Africa, and will be berthed at Station Pier until about 7th June. She joins her sister ship, Spirit IV, which is berthed in Williamstown and can be seen from our foreshore. Both ships are here  temporarily while work is done onboard and the dock in Devonport is renovated to accommodate the larger ferries. Later in 2026, they will start service between Corio Quay and Devonport.TT Lines, the operator of the ferry service, may offer ticketed vessel tours during the time the ferries are in port.

1-5 Waterfront Place

Since our last update we have heard that the City of Port Phillip has approved plans for the site.

We have been unsuccessful in contacting the builder to find out the start date.

Our Newsletter is Out

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

Community safety

• 103 Beach Street
• The Barak Beacon public housing site in Port Melbourne
• Council seeks Victorian Government funds for acoustic camera trial
• Report hoon driving and related noise.
• Joining the BCNA – we encourage all those receiving the newsletter to become a member of the BCNA

The BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing and Kosdown Press, 10 Rocklea Drive, Port Melbourne for folding the newsletter.

Click/tap here to download the newsletter.

The Barak Beacon Public Housing Site

There will be 408 dwellings on the site between Barak and Beacon Roads. The project is on track and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. New residents are expected soon after.

The BCNA welcomes the redevelopment which will provide a range of rental options, including social, affordable rental, market rental, and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). Planned additions to local community facilities include a new multipurpose community room and space for a new café and for a social enterprise to use. Click/tap here for details.

That said, the BCNA is disappointed that there has been no action to improve access to public transport, green space, and local roads to cope with the expected increase of more than eight hundred permanent residents. We have raised our concerns with Homes Victoria and with Nina Taylor MP, State Member for Albert Park.

The BCNA continues to monitor the construction development and has assisted nearby residents to resolve issues with the builder.

ANZAC Commemoration and Naval Ship Visits

This year’s Port Melbourne Anzac Commemoration will be held at the WW1 Memorial, corner of Bay and Beach Streets, from 10 am to 11 am on Saturday. Beach Street will be closed from Bay Street through to Princes Street from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm to accommodate the service.

This year two Australian Navy ships will be at Station Pier over the Anzac weekend. They are HMAS Stuart, an Anzac Class frigate and HMAS Brisbane, a Hobart Class guided missile destroyer. Both ships are arriving on Thursday, 23rd April and departing on Monday 27th April. They follow the recent visit of a Japanese naval ship JS Kumano where an agreement to purchase Japanese frigates was signed.

A Great Night Out with BCNA

BCNA members and friends gathered on 16th of April for a relaxed and enjoyable evening at Mascalzone Restaurant, 55 Beach Street.

During the night, our President Tim Norman provided a brief update on key local issues, including hoon driving, Waterfront Place Precinct, 1-5 Waterfront Place highlighting BCNA’s ongoing advocacy on behalf of members and residents.

If you have not joined us yet, we would love to welcome you - it is a great way to stay connected and be part of the community.

Draft Foreshore Management Plan

The City of Port Phillip has released a draft plan and is encouraging feedback. Click/tap here for more details of the plan and how to provide feedback.

Acoustic Camera Trial Announced

The BCNA welcomes the announcement by the Premier and the Minister for Environment, The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, of a two year acoustic camera trial commencing later this year. Seven cameras will be installed at key ‘hot spot’ locations across Victoria to monitor vehicle noise.

                          

We acknowledge Nina Taylor MP, State Member for Albert Park, for her strong advocacy on this issue.

However, the BCNA has significant concerns about the current design of the trial. As announced, the trial focuses narrowly on vehicle and engine noise, overlooking noise generated by burnouts, drifting, and rapid acceleration. It also leaves open opportunities for evasion after detection. The BCNA has now produced a paper assessing the trial and outlining key issues.

The BCNA has provided these concerns to Nina Taylor MP, to the Minister for Environment, the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP, and our local councillors. We will continue to actively pursue improvements to the trial’s scope and effectiveness.

Future uses of the freight yard near Station Pier

The BCNA has regular meetings with Ports Victoria to better understand plans and to discuss improvements to the area. One of the issues we discussed at a recent meeting was the use of the freight yard. We heard that the yard is still integral to operations but that Ports Victoria is open to ideas about community use at certain times. We heard that Ports Victoria has discussed this with the City of Port Phillip. The BCNA strongly supports the yard being used for community uses. The BCNA would welcome ideas for uses by emailing brief details to the President or Secretary.

New Committee Members Wanted

The BCNA is seeking new committee members. This is a valuable opportunity to contribute directly to advocacy across all three levels of government and to help progress community issues that affect you and your neighbours. If you are interested, please contact the Secretary or President to discuss current priorities and how you can be involved.

BCNA Members Dinner - Thursday 16 April

The first dinner for 2026 will be held on Thursday 16th April. Members have been sent an invitation with details. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please email us for details. 

Suggest Locations for Council’s New Mobile CCTV Trailer

The City of Port Phillip is purchasing a second mobile CCTV trailer as reported here. Council staff have asked BCNA to nominate potential locations. We will do this. However, if you have information about areas that may not be well known, please provide details to our Secretary.

The mobile CCTV units are deployed by police to areas of need across the City of Port Phillip. The units serve as a deterrent to those considering anti-social behaviour and assist police in identifying offenders.

Council’s Community Satisfaction Survey

Each year, the City of Port Phillip (Council) participates in the annual survey of residents to assess community satisfaction with Council services.

This year, Klein Research and Metropolis Research will conduct the survey during March and April. Researchers may contact residents by telephone or in person by knocking on your door, selected through random sample. Participation is voluntary and confidential. A total of 1,300 Port Phillip residents will be surveyed, with each survey taking approximately 5 to 15 minutes. Your personal details and individual responses are strictly confidential. Only the overall results will be shared with Council.

The BCNA encourages participation in the survey. We reported the results of the 2025 survey in August last year.

Navy Ships at Station Pier

A French navy ship, the Auguste Benedix, is at Station Pier until Monday 16th March. It will not be open to the public. Click/tap here for details about the ship.

HMAS Ballarat, an Anzac class frigate, is arriving on Friday 13th March and departing on Tuesday 17th March. The City of Ballarat has organised a ‘Freedom of Entry’ ceremony for the ship’s crew on Sunday 15th March. Click/tap here for details.

Council Seeks Victorian Government Funds for Acoustic Camera Trial

At its meeting on 4th March, the City of Port Phillip passed a motion seeking Victorian Government support and funding for an acoustic camera trial in the City of Port Phillip. This was introduced by Councillor Heather Cunsolo and passed unanimously. The motion also requests the Mayor to write to various state government representatives to promote this cause. It also proposes that council officers investigate the NSW trial of this technology.           

The President of the BCNA, Tim Norman, spoke in support of the motion as did Heather Brown, a member and resident of Beach Street. Pleasingly, the topic generated media coverage such as this.

Suggest Locations for Speed Cameras

BCNA representatives recently met local police to discuss measures that can be used to manage hoon activity. Speeding is often involved. Police reminded us that the community can suggest ‘speed areas’ where cameras could be placed. Click/tap here to do so.

CCTV Information Session in Port Melbourne

The City of Port Phillip (Council) is arranging information sessions to explain the role out of the expansion of CCTV coverage that was recently announced by the Mayor, Alex Makin. Bay Street is included in the program.

Details about the CCTV expansion will be explained at an information session on Wednesday 11th March, from 6 to 7.30 pm at the Port Melbourne Community Room, (Level 1), 147 Liardet Street, Port Melbourne. Bookings are essential. Click/tap here for more details and click/tap here to make a booking.

The BCNA encourages members who have views about community safety and the location of CCTV cameras to attend this meeting.

Air Quality

The BCNA has finalised a policy explaining air quality issues near Station Pier and the actions we would like to see taken by all levels of government.

Air quality has been a priority area for the BCNA for a long time. Advocacy by BCNA led to the Victorian Government implementing two air quality monitoring programs at Station Pier. First in 2016-18, the second in 2023-24. Air quality has much improved since the relocation of the Spirit of Tasmania ferries in 2022 and improvements in ship fuel quality since 2020.

Community Local Law Amendment

The City of Port Phillip (Council) is proposing a Community Local Law Amendment which allows council to respond to camps on Council land when they affect the community’s safety, wellbeing, or enjoyment of the area.

Click/tap here to provide feedback.

No News on Acoustic Camera Trial

Unfortunately, there is no indication that the Victorian Government will announce an acoustic camera trial soon. This was one of the outcomes of a meeting BCNA had with Nina Taylor MP on Monday 16th February. It follows a Community Policing Forum on 5th February where Victoria Police mentioned that the Victorian Government had approved funding. Click/tap here for more information.

Road Safety at Beacon Road and Williamstown Road Intersection

The BCNA also discussed with Nina Taylor road safety at the intersection of Beacon Road and Williamstown Road. The BCNA asked her to request that the Department of Transport install car activated traffic lights rather than pedestrian activated lights at this intersection. This intersection is already dangerous and will become more so as more motorists seek to turn right onto Williamstown Road once the Barak Beacon housing development is completed later this year.

Waterfront Place Update

We also got an update on the Waterfront Place precinct.  Ms Taylor stated that she would apply for a Development Victoria grant to develop a masterplan for the precinct. She asked the BCNA for details as the BCNA has advocated for a masterplan. For example, at a meeting with the Victorian Government’s Minister for Ports and Freight, The Hon. Melissa Horne MP, in October 2023. The masterplan is described on the final page of BCNA’s presentation.

More Public CCTV in Bay Street

The City of Port Phillip Mayor, Councillor Alex Makin, joined Josh Burns, MP, Federal Member for Macnamara, on Monday 16th February to announce that the City of Port Phillip is partnering with the Australian Government to improve safety and security for community and local business.

 

The Federal Government has provided $1.5 million to increase public place CCTV across the City of Port Phillip through the installation of new systems in key retail precincts in Port Melbourne, Balaclava, and South Melbourne. Bay Street is included in the program. The new systems will complement the existing CCTV network across St Kilda which is currently being renewed by City of Port Phillip. The project will also include the purchase of a mobile CCTV trailer to provide additional surveillance in areas with increased antisocial behaviour. This new purchase follows an earlier purchase of a mobile CCTV trailer sought by BCNA in 2021.

Click/tap here for more details about the new CCTV program in the City of Port Phillip.

Acoustic Cameras

The BCNA is meeting Nina Taylor MP on Monday 16th February to pursue the potential introduction of acoustic cameras to combat hoon driving. At a recent Community Policing Forum, Victoria Police mentioned that the Victorian Government has approved funding but, of course, the actual allocation remains uncertain. We are also meeting our Ward Councillor, Heather Cunsolo and the Mayor, City of Port Phillip, Alex Makin on Friday 13th February to discuss local issues, including hoon driving and steps Council can take to deter this behaviour.

The BCNA continues to receive reports of hoon driving and illegal vehicle noise in nearby areas and has long advocated for greater state attention to this problem. Disruptive behaviours include burnouts, racing and excessive exhaust and engine noise which seem to occur mostly at night. They undermine public safety, disturb residents’ sleep, and create a sense of intimidation in the community. A BCNA member on Beach Street explains the impact and is encouraging residents to routinely report incidents to police, Nina Taylor MP, and to the Mayor, City of Port Phillip. Click/tap here for the BCNA position on hoon driving and vehicle noise. 

Wintringham Hostel

The Wintringham hostel is an aged care facility at 79 Swallow Street. It plans to add four more rooms which will consume four car parks currently reserved for off-street parking. This requires an exemption from the City of Port Phillip.

The removal of these four spaces can only result in additional pressure on available parking in Swallow Street. However, it appears that the four spaces are currently little used. Consequently, the BCNA does not plan to object.

The plans (Planning Application Number 63/2015/A) can be viewed on the City of Port Phillip website (select "View more" under "Activity" then search for 63/2015/A). An objection can be submitted online.

Pedestrian Crossing on Williamstown Road

A pedestrian and bike rider crossing with traffic lights has been completed at the corner of Smith and Williamstown Road as well as a pedestrian crossing across Smith Street. Click/tap here for more details. 

The new crossings will serve the new Narrarrang Primary School at 2 Smith Street which is scheduled to open on day one, Term 1, this year.

New pedestrian and bike crossings near Narrarrang Primary School

The absence of promised Fishermans Bend infrastructure by 2025 means there is increased traffic on Williamstown Road, with consequences for all users. Safe crossing of Williamstown Road at the corner of Beacon Road, opposite the JL Murphy Reserve, is becoming increasingly difficult.

The BCNA has asked Nina Taylor MP, State Member for Albert Park, for details on proposed works on Williamstown Road, including the Beacon Road and Williamstown Road corner, and when they will be completed. We will provide details as soon as they are received.

Update on 103 Beach Street (formerly the Foodstore Site)

We received advice from Council officers on 20 January that no application has been received to change the use of the ground floor of 103 Beach Street as we explained in a recent post.

The BCNA advocated for part of the ground floor area to be used as mini supermarket when the planning application was decided at VCAT in 2022. The owner, Luxcon, confirmed they were seeking potential lessees for this purpose. The ground floor is marked as ‘retail’ on the endorsed plans and shows the design for a supermarket.

A mini supermarket would be valued by the community, but the owners are not compelled to provide it. However, if a change of use is planned, the owners are required to obtain the City of Port Phillip’s approval.

Blessing of the Waters Festival 2026

A Happy New Year to everyone.

The annual Greek Orthodox Blessing of the Waters ceremony will be held on Princes Pier this coming Sunday 11th January from 1pm. The throwing of the Holy Cross will be held as part of the Blessing of the Waters Festival.

From 2pm, there will be entertainment for families and children of all ages, as well as Greek food and market stalls.

Click/tap here for further details.

New Management at Westgate Park

Janet Bolitho has alerted us to a change in management of Westgate Park from 1 January 2026. The City of Melbourne takes over management from Parks Victoria.

The City of Melbourne describes Westgate Park as “a 36-hectare open space comprising wetlands, woodlands and indigenous flora and fauna. It is located along the eastern banks of the Yarra River – Birrarung under the Westgate Bridge, between Wharf Road and Todd Road in Port Melbourne, and along a narrow 1km strip between the river and Lorimer Street in Fishermans Bend. One third of Westgate Park is wetlands, including its recognisable salt lake, a freshwater lake with a large island, a dam as well as lagoons and ponds dotted throughout, connected by shared trails.” Click/tap here for further information about the park, things to do and park guidelines.

The change in management has been welcomed by volunteers who care and assist in maintaining the park.