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.