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.

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.

BCNA Priorities

The BCNA’s current priorities include the redevelopment of the Waterfront Place precinct, hoon driving and vehicle noise, Fishermans Bend, community safety, the Barak Beacon housing redevelopment, and air quality. We provide regular updates on these items.

‘Position papers’ on four of these priorities have now been prepared. They are designed to assist communication with members and external parties. Each paper explains the problem and the BCNA position.

Click/tap below to read the relevant papers:

Redevelopment of Waterfront Place Precinct

Hoon Driving and Vehicle Noise

Fishermans Bend

Community Safety

Our Newsletter is Out

Volunteers are now delivering the latest newsletter to residences. This issue includes news on:

• 1-5 Waterfront Place 
• Fishermans Bend development
• The Barak Beacon public housing site in Port Melbourne
• Acoustic camera trial to detect hoon driving
• Report hoon driving and related noise.
• Ports Victoria’s Cruise Shipping Strategy
• BCNA residents’ dinners
• Joining the BCNA

The BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing and to Kosdown Press for folding the newsletter.

Click/tap here for an electronic version of the newsletter.

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.

Progress Regarding Residents’ Concerns about the Barak Beacon Housing Development

Since our last update, Councillor Heather Cunsolo, Port Melbourne Ward, organised a meeting with the builder, ICON construction, to resolve the concerns of nearby residents. The concerns have been about excessive light spill (a problem since February), damage to residents’ properties - lawns, gardens, and watering systems - traffic, parking issues and very loud music played on site during works hours. A BCNA committee representative, Serge Zorino, who has a background in industrial consulting, was invited to join the meeting.

The builder has agreed to certain actions - click/tap here for a summary of the meeting. Some damage to nearby properties is the responsibility of other organisations, such as Southeast Water and CitiPower. Affected residents have been urged to contact these organisations to report damage and to seek compensation.

The builder expects the peak in the construction workforce will be later this year with each section to be completed in stages. The cranes will be progressively removed 6-8 weeks later. This is explained in the attached summary.

The BCNA thanks Councillor Cunsolo for initiating and leading the discussion with the builder.

Barak Beacon Housing Development - Ongoing Concerns

Since our last update, BCNA representatives met Heather Cunsolo, councillor for Port Melbourne ward, to discuss site related issues raised by nearby residents. We wanted to reinforce their complaints about excessive light spill (a problem since February), damage to residents’ properties - lawns, gardens and watering systems, traffic, and parking issues and, very loud music played on site during works hours.

BCNA research indicates that the builder ICON has obligations for community safety as well as site safety under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act and Construction regulations to address risks to health safety and welfare under its control. Risks brought to ICON’s attention by residents since February do not appear to have been addressed. A meeting is being sought with the builder, to discuss the issues of concern.

Barak Beacon Housing Development - Action on Excessive Light Spill

In response to concerns from nearby residents, the builder, ICON construction, will reduce the floor lighting from the five five tower cranes from 8pm to 5.30am, Monday to Sunday. This will take effect from Friday 13th June. The builder will continue to monitor the lighting to ensure it meets the community’s needs while maintaining safety and security.

The BCNA thanks Councillor Heather Cunsolo and Ms. Nina Taylor MP, for helping to gain this outcome.

No Funding for Acoustic Camera Trial

Unfortunately, the recent Victorian Government Budget contained no funding for an acoustic camera trial with the City of Port Phillip. Ms. Nina Taylor, MP, Member for Albert Park, had sought funding for the trial. This news was discussed at a recent meeting BCNA representatives had with Ms. Taylor. Ms. Taylor said she would explore ways in which a grant might be obtained for a trial.

The BCNA believes that there should be greater use of technology, such as CCTV and acoustic cameras, to deter hoon behaviour. Acoustic cameras are used in several countries and are being progressively introduced in Australia.

Other topics discussed with Ms. Taylor was excessive light spill from the Barak Beacon housing development (see item above), and possible new tram routes into Fishermans Bend. 

Barak Beacon Housing Development - Excessive Light Spill

Over many months, residents in Beacon Road and nearby streets have raised concerns with the builder, ICON construction, about excessive ‘light spill’ from the five large cranes at night. There is intense very bright light from the cranes.

In mid-March, ICON construction acknowledged the direct impact of the lighting on residents and stated that they had engaged lighting specialists to assess whether adjustments could be made while still meeting safety obligations. The assessment was to consider factors such as direction, and intensity of the lighting. ICON construction expected advice would be able to be provided to residents in early April.

Despite multiple written requests from the Beacon Road and Beacon Cove community to ICON constructions, no advice has been provided.

Nearby residents have contacted the City of Port Phillip. The BCNA has contacted ICON construction and Ms. Nina Taylor MP, Member for Albert Park, about the problem stressing the impact on nearby residents.

Our Newsletter is Out

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

• New plans for 1 and 7 Waterfront Place 
• The Barak Beacon public housing site in Port Melbourne
• Beacon Cove Foodstore redevelopment at 103 Beach Street
• Hoon driving and related noise.
• Air quality monitoring at Station Pier
• Port Victoria’s Cruise Shipping Strategy
• Joining the BCNA

BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing and to Kosdown Press for folding the newsletter.

Click/tap here for an electronic version of the newsletter.

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.

BCNA Meeting with Ward Councillors

BCNA representatives recently met Heather Cunsolo (Port Melbourne Ward) and Alex Makin (Montague Ward) to discuss local issues. Topics included:

• Hoon driving and related noise continues to detract from residents' quality of life, particularly in summer. Councillors stated that the City of Port Phillip has been planning to assist the Victorian Government should funds be provided to the EPA for an acoustic camera trial.
• The skatepark underneath the Graham Street overpass attracts comment about the lack of fence and graffiti. There are plans for fencing and screening around the site.
• Noise from vehicles using the Graham Street overpass due to its elevated position as well as incidents with speeding drivers. It was agreed that a permanent speed camera would help in managing noise and speed. However, it is noted that Graham Street is the responsibility of the Department of Transport.
• The Barak Beacon Housing redevelopment will mean a sizeable increase in population on the site. The BCNA is disappointed that the Victorian Government is persisting with the current design without any acknowledgement of local resident concerns as described here, or steps to mitigate the impact. Better transport infrastructure is needed for the population influx.
• The timetable for the planning and construction of transport infrastructure in Fishermans Bend, promised by the Victorian Government in the 2018 Fishermans Bend Framework, has not been met. The BCNA and both the City of Port Phillip and the City of Melbourne have made numerous representations about this.

Our Newsletter is Out

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

• Renters are welcome to become members
• The Barak Beacon public housing site in Port Melbourne
• Update on 1 and 7 Waterfront Place 
• Hoon driving and related noise.
• Update on Foodstore redevelopment at 103 Beach Street
• Dogs off leash in public spaces  
• Air quality monitoring at Station Pier
• BCNA’s residents’ dinners
• Joining the BCNA

The BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing and to Kosdown Press for folding the newsletter.

Click/tap here for an electronic version of the newsletter.

Council Election Pledges 2024

The BCNA contacted the five candidates standing for Port Melbourne Ward on Saturday 20th September and invited them to respond to four questions by cob Friday 4th October.

Responses, in order of receipt, were received from David Wright, Richard Whitfield, Heather Cunsolo and Adrian King. Details are shown below.

Vehicle Noise and Hoon Driving

Hoon driving is a particular problem at Station Pier, in the Waterfront Place precinct, and in nearby streets. The candidate’s discussion includes mention of mobile CCTV by police, an acoustic camera trial, parking restrictions, more regular monitoring of parking restrictions, and traffic calming measures. Click/tap here for a summary of responses.

Waterfront Place Precinct

The area is the ‘gateway’ to Melbourne for cruise ship visitors. It is also the community hub for the Beacon Cove community. The candidates acknowledge the poor state of the area. Their discussion includes the development of a masterplan, leadership by the Victorian Government, and the role Council can play. Click/tap here for a summary of responses.

Fishermans Bend

The Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area (FBURA) is next door to Beacon Cove. Timely infrastructure provision in FBURA, or not, has an impact in nearby areas. In 2018, the Victorian Government made a commitment to introduce tram services by 2025. Click/tap here for a summary of responses.

Barak Beaon Housing Development

The Victorian Government’s redevelopment of the public housing site between Barak and Beacon Roads is underway. The candidates discuss improvements to traffic flow, parking around the estate, problems with design, problematic traffic analysis and entry/egress plans, and the lack of public transport, and amenity issues. Click/tap here for a summary of responses.

The full response from each candidate can be accessed here (click/tap on the name) for David Wright, Richard Whitfield, Heather Cunsolo and Adrian King. Sabina Sablok did not respond by the deadline for this post. We will post her response when it is received.

Don't forget that the BCNA is hosting a candidates’ forum at the Liardet Street Community Centre, 154 Liardet Street, Port Melbourne on Wednesday, 9th October commencing at 7.15 pm. Click/tap here for details.

Barak Beacon Redevelopment Approved

The Premier and the Minister for Housing have approved Housing Victoria’s plans for 408 dwellings on the Barak Road site as explained here.

The BCNA welcomes the redevelopment which will have a mix of social, affordable and market housing but is disappointed that there has been no recognition of the need to improve access to public transport, green space, and local roads to cope with the expected increase of about eight hundred residents.

The BCNA is hoping that there will be close cooperation with Homes Victoria during the build phase to improve street access, retain green space, and prevent parking spillover to local streets. Click here for further details.

Barak Beacon Update

The BCNA continues to engage with Nina Taylor MP, Member for Albert Park, about community concerns with the proposed development. Our concerns are about the massive increase in residences, but without any change in public transport, roads and parking (see our news item of 8 March 2024). The amenity of nearby residents will be diminished.

The BCNA received an email from Homes Victoria last Friday which indicates that Homes Victoria remains committed to develop 408 residences.

Meeting with the Hon. David Davis MLC Regarding the Barak Beacon Redevelopment

Since our last update, BCNA representatives met the Hon. David Davis MLC, Liberal Member for Southern Region in the Legislative Council, at the Barak Beacon site to brief him on the BCNA’s concerns. The BCNA’s concerns relate to excessive height (the government stated that 4-5 storey buildings were envisaged in 2022, yet towers of 9 and 11 storeys are now proposed), and the significant increase in residents and cars without any enhancement of local infrastructure, as explained in a submission to Homes Victoria.

The Hon. Georgie Crozier MLC, Liberal Member for Southern Region in the Legislative Council, has asked formal questions about the project. Her question to the Minister for Planning and the Minister’s response is shown here and in an Adjournment Debate is shown here.

An article (paywall) in today’s Age explains local residents’ concerns and government plans for the redevelopment.

Our Newsletter is Out

Volunteers are now delivering our latest newsletter to residences. This issue includes news on:

• Invitation to renters to become members
• The Barak Beacon public housing site in Port Melbourne
• Air quality monitoring near Station Pier
• Update on 1 and 7 Waterfront Place
• Hoon driving and related noise
• Update on Foodstore redevelopment at 103 Beach Street
• Council news affecting Beacon Cove: Dogs off leash in public spaces and the Princes Street stormwater drain
• BCNA’s residents’ dinners
• Joining the BCNA

The BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing and to Kosdown Press for folding the newsletter.

Click here for an electronic version of the newsletter.