Fishermans Bend Tram Routes and the 109 Service

In March, Infrastructure Victoria released draft recommendations about infrastructure needs. The organization is required to revise a 30-year strategy every 3-5 years. Included in the report is advice about new tram routes into Fishermans Bend.

Two trams to Fishermans Bend

The strategy proposes extending tram routes 11 and 67 to connect Fishermans Bend with the city. The Carnegie service (route 67) would be extended from Anzac Station along Park Street, South Melbourne to Fishermans Bend north. The West Preston service (route 11) would be extended across the Yarra River into Fishermans Bend south. Both services are shown on a map above and at page 39 of Infrastructure Victoria’s report.

Expand the 109 service

A section of the report proposes more services on existing, busy routes. The 109 service is considered a busy service.

Infrastructure Victoria states “The government should add around 300 more services a week on key routes where more homes are planned and trams are already very busy, like routes 86, 96 and 109. It should run more evening and weekend tram services so people who live near tram lines are less dependent on cars and new housing developments do not require as many parking spaces.” (Infrastructure Victoria, 30-year strategy, page 37).

Infrastructure Victoria is an advisory body. The government is not obliged to adopt recommendations but is expected to respond to the recommendations in November 2025.

The Age published an article about the report last month. Click/tap here to read (paywall).

BCNA Meeting with Nina Taylor MP

The BCNA arranges regular meetings with Nina Taylor MP, State Member for Albert Park, to discuss local issues.

Topics discussed at a recent meeting included:

• Fishermans Bend infrastructure - it is estimated that development has added 3000 apartments and over 6000 new residents and their cars onto existing roads. Ms. Taylor said there would be a new assessment of transport infrastructure once Metro 1 is completed. This is expected early in 2026.
• Barak Beacon redevelopment - once completed, this will drive a big increase in population on the site without any consequential improvement in public transport. The proposed Fishermans Bend tram service would help Barak Beacon and Garden City residents as the route shown in the 2018 Fishermans Bend Framework shows the tram terminating in Garden City. Ms. Taylor said she understood community concerns about traffic. She plans to contact the Minister for Transport about a transport plan for the area. 
• Hoon driving and related noise - Ms. Taylor is aware of the impact and welcomes constituents contacting her about this. She is seeking funds for an acoustic camera trial in the City of Port Phillip vicinity through the State Budget.
• The 109 tram service - the timetable for track duplication at Beacon Cove remains unknown, despite a recent meeting with Yarra Trams. Ms. Taylor undertook to ensure a Yarra Trams representative contacts BCNA to discuss this.

109 Tram - Power Supply Upgrade

The Department of Transport and Planning is planning to increase the power supply on Route 109. Upgrading the tram power supply will lead to smoother rides and reduce sudden stops. 

A tram substation will be built in the rail reserve near the tram line and Bridge Street. The Department wants to design and develop the substation in a way that:

• fits with the character of the local area
• uses landscaping, where possible, to integrate the facility in its setting.
• minimises environmental impacts.
• provides broader community benefits, where possible
• minimises construction impacts to local businesses, residents, public transport users and commuters.

More information can be obtained here.  Feedback can be provided on the proposed works at this site.

109 Tram Track Duplication

The Victorian Government plans to duplicate the track at the final stop on the 109 service in Beacon Cove.

The draft design for the terminus is a central island stop, which has a platform in the middle and the tracks on either side. The intension is to move the terminus slightly north so that the end of the stop is approximately in line with the railway station.

Funding is not yet approved. The BCNA has been advocating for this work to be completed at the same time as the redevelopment of the Foodstore at 103 Beach Street.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety at the Beacon Cove Tram Stop

The BCNA has been considering safety in the light of the redevelopment of the Foodstore at 103 Beach Street. Representatives from the BCNA have met Council staff who have been considering ways to do this. Details will be provided once they have been finalised.

Measles Warning for People Who Used the 109 Tram between 3-5 December

In case you haven't seen this report elsewhere, The Age has reported about some recent cases of measles in Melbourne and that "Authorities also warned commuters who travelled on the 109 tram route from Port Melbourne to the CBD between December 3 and 5 to keep an eye out for symptoms".

Update on the Foodstore Site

The developer of 103 Beach Street is finalising his proposal for a four-level building comprising a café and supermarket on the ground floor, underground car park and 12 apartments.

The BCNA wants to see this site developed. The BCNA’s concerns have included the importance of maintaining parking spaces to the north of the building, two car park entrances, retaining a pedestrian entrance to the building from the car park, height, and safe pedestrian and cycle use to the east of the building.

The developer understands the community concerns that have been raised and has addressed these. Car park design and safe pedestrian and cycle use involve Council and Yarra Trams/PTV. They have provided an assurance that they will not exceed 1.6 metres above the existing approved height, do not plan to on-sell, and will ask Council to include reference to maximum height in the planning permit. They have also offered to hold a community meeting to explain final design and plans.

The BCNA is keen to see the proposed tram line duplication at the Beacon Cove stop occurring at the same time as redevelopment of the Foodstore site. To this end the BCNA will be contacting the Hon. Martin Foley MP to ensure funds are available to Yarra Trams/PTV for this work. This will minimise disruption from the two projects.

The developer hopes to start marketing and preselling later this year, with building starting around February 2020. The building phase is expected to take about 18 months.

State Election Transport Forum - 13 September

Sorry about the late notice on this - we only just found out ourselves.

This pre-election forum on transport issues will hear from candidates in the forthcoming November state election including:

• Martin Foley MP, Albert Park MLA 
• Andrew Bond (Liberal candidate for Albert Park) and 
• Ogy Simic (Greens candidate for Albert Park).

It will be held at Port Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday 13 September from 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm.

The forum is an opportunity to put questions to the candidates and hear their answers directly.

It’s a free event but RSVP is recommended.  More details are available here.

Light Rail Shared Path Lighting - It's Happening!

This was seen today so it seems as if things are underway. It will involve providing lighting along the shared path between Beacon Cove alongside the Light Rail. Many walkers and cyclists were uncomfortable using the path at night because it is very dark in places.  Hopefully this should solve the problem.

No 109 Trams Until Tuesday

It seems work on the new super tram stop at the corner of Whiteman Street and Clarendon Street has taken longer than expected. Yarra Trams are now saying that 109 trams will not recommence until Tuesday morning.

So, as the replacement bus takes a lot longer than the tram, allow extra time on Monday (and perhaps Tuesday since they've delayed estimated completion twice already) if you're going into the city.

Disruption to Beacon Cove 109 Trams

Yarra Trams have just advised that tram service changes on routes 12, 96 & 109 will continue until approximately 7:30am Sunday 17 January.  It was previously expected to be finished today.

More details are available here.

No 109 Beacon Cove Trams between 3-15 January

Yarra Trams will be carrying out a major upgrade to the Clarendon Street junction light rail stop over the next few weeks which will mean that there will be no 109 trams servicing Beacon Cove (or other parts of Port Melbourne) between Sunday 3 January to Friday 15 January.

During this work, replacement buses will operate to the normal frequency.  These buses will not travel through the Southbank/Casino/Flinders Street area and will terminate on Collins Street opposite Southern Cross (Spencer Street) station so you will need to change to a tram to get further up Collins Street or walk quite a long way if you want to go to the Casino or Southbank. They will also take considerably longer than the light rail so allow plenty of extra time if you want to get into or out of the city on public transport.

Yesterday there were some brochures with comprehensive details of the work and service changes at the Beacon Cove light rail stop.  There is also some information available here.

Sorry for the late notice - I only found this out yesterday when travelling on the tram.

Tram Route 109 Service Changes

Tram Route 109 Rail Replacement Work - Replacement Bus Service

Yarra Trams are doing rail replacement works between Saturday 29th January and Sunday 6 February inclusive.

A replacement Bus Service is being provided.
Click here for full details from Yarra Trams.