Road Safety at the Intersection of Beacon Road and Williamstown Road

This is a dangerous intersection and is more so for motorists turning right from Beacon Road into Williamstown Road during peak hours.

The BCNA discussed this with Nina Taylor MP, State member for Albert Park, last February. We urged her to seek car activated traffic lights (known as vehicle detector loops) to assist drivers as the road is the responsibility of the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and the Victorian Government.

          

Council staff have advocated for vehicle detector loops on Beacon Road and ‘Keep Clear’ line marking on Williamstown Road. However, both measures are not supported by the DTP. The BCNA will be contacting Nina Taylor to ask that she request that these measures be supported by DTP.

If you have concerns about safety and the need for vehicle detector loops, we encourage you to contact Ms Taylor at nina.taylor@parliament.vic.gov.au.

Until road safety improvements are introduced, we urge drivers to avoid turning right from Beacon Road. Choose an alternative route to get on to Williamstown Road. This intersection will become busier once the Barak Beacon housing development is completed later this year.

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.

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.

Update on Narrarrang Primary School

This school is being built in Fishermans Bend. The address is 2 Smith Street, which is near the corner of 299 Williamstown Road and Smith Street. It will open in the first quarter of 2026. 

Click/tap here for details about the school as well as recent photos of the construction stage.

Tram Services for Fishermans Bend

Last Thursday, the Fishermans Bend Business Forum and the City of Port Phillip convened a forum to discuss the evolving plans for Fishermans Bend. The forum was timely as it follows the recent announcement by the University of Melbourne to postpose its proposed campus development.

The panellists were: 

• Nina Taylor MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Labor MP for Albert Park
• Tanya Quick – Director, Fishermans Bend Taskforce, Victorian Government
• Cr Alex Makin – City of Port Phillip
• Cr Andrew Rowse – City of Melbourne
• Guy Naselli – President, Fishermans Bend Business Forum / NSL Property Group
• Marcus Henry – Fishermans Bend Business Forum / Melbourne Cement Facilities

Under the guidance of Janet Bolitho, a former Mayor of the City of Port Phillip, the panellists gave a summary of development so far. There was mention of an Integrated Transport Plan which shows new routes for tram services into Fishermans Bend.

Unfortunately, there was no clarity on the timetable for the provision of the tram services that were promised by 2025. The BCNA considers this a disappointing outcome for businesses, residents, and investors. It will continue to slow development. The area is earmarked for 80,000 residents but the absence of a firm timetable for tram services will continue to slow development.

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.

Melbourne University Pauses Investment in Fishermans Bend

Recently, Melbourne University decided to pause work on the Fishermans Bend Campus. This decision has also been reported in The Age (paywall).

The University’s development was predicated on the Victorian Government meeting its promised timetable to build, develop and open tram infrastructure into the area by 2025 as stated in the 2018 Fishermans Bend Framework Plan and discussed by the BCNA.

This failure by the Victorian Government is a big disappointment for businesses, residents and the wider community. The BCNA believes Melbourne University has acted responsibly given the circumstances.

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.

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.

BCNA AGM – Summary of Meeting

The BCNA held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 14th November. For those who could not attend click/tap here for a summary of the meeting.

The Guest Speaker was Craig Walker, CEO of Ports Victoria. Craig spoke about the maintenance and improvements to Station Pier, the preparation of a Cruise Ship Strategy, and that Ports Vic may open the Pier to the public on occasions with special events on the Pier and precinct.

Ms. Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, spoke about the freight yard adjoining Station Pier may become a community area, hoon driving, and that she will investigate the installation of road humps to control hoon driving near Station Pier.

Port Melbourne Ward Councillor Heather Cunsolo spoke about collaborating with police on hoon driving, Fishermans Bend and public transport, E-scooters and 1 and 7 Waterfront Place.

Fishermans Bend Primary School

In June we advised that the state government proposed a new primary school for Fishermans Bend to cater for the increasing population. The location for the school has been announced as 299 Williamstown Road, which is on the corner of Smith Street. The school is projected to house a student population of around 650 students and provide welcome relief from the population pressures on the existing Port Melbourne Primary School. The BCNA welcomes this announcement but urges government planners to provide accessible green space for the student population. Primary school students need room to run and play!

Click/tap here for more details.

Fishermans Bend Insight Event

Recently, we highlighted an event to be hosted by Fishermans Bend Business Forum. The event was held on 15th October and provided a range of details about the Fishermans Bend development. Speakers reported that over 6,000 new residents had arrived since the start of development. The Fishermans Bend population is projected to increase from 1,902 residents and 28,156 workers in the 2021 census to approximately 16,000 residents and around 36,000 workers by 2030.

The BCNA notes that this influx of residents is occurring without any change to roads, available green space, or transport infrastructure. Significant additional bus services have been announced but it must be noted that this adds to the congestion on existing roads. The BCNA urges the state government to accelerate plans for trams and trains that will provide residents with alternatives to road transport.

Click/tap here for more details on this event.

What's Next for Fishermans Bend?

The Fishermans Bend Business Forum is hosting an event on Tuesday 15th October, 4pm to 6pm at CBCO Brewery, 89 Bertie Street, Fishermans Bend.

The event has been designed to bring together property owners, leading consultants, and key industry representatives for an exclusive, important, and informative update on the status of key projects in Fishermans Bend and plans for the near future.

Speakers will focus on what lies ahead for the next 3-5years, with presentations and panel input from the Fishermans Bend Taskforce, Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct Delivery team, the University of Melbourne, FB IDEAs, and Fishermans Bend Business Forum. Click/tap here for more details, as well as registration for the event.

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.

State Housing Target for the City of Port Phillip

In June 2024, the State Government released draft local government housing targets as part of statewide plans to reach 2.24 million new houses by 2051. Comments on the draft are expected by 30th August 2024. The targets are explained here.

The draft target for the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) is 56,000 new dwellings by 2051.

The draft target and CoPP’s response to the State Government was discussed at a Council meeting on 7 August. Council officers believe the city has enough existing capacity (without rezoning) to accommodate up to 59,000 new dwellings across the municipality if every site is developed to its full potential. Crucially, this potential includes Fishermans Bend which requires the provision of transport infrastructure promised by the Victorian Government but which has yet to materialise. Population growth in established residential areas also strains existing infrastructure - the State Government’s draft target does not include plans for the provision of updated or additional infrastructure. More details can be found in this CoPP paper.

The CoPP resolved to respond to the State Government seeking details about the methodology to determine housing targets, stressing the importance of State Government provision of infrastructure in Fishermans Bend and for updated and additional infrastructure in established areas.

Fishermans Bend Primary School

The Victorian Government has announced that a primary school will be built on Williamstown Road in the Wirraway precinct of Fishermans Bend. Click here for details about the new school as well as a map showing location.

An earlier site for the school was thought to be 509 Williamstown Road as explained here. That site and area was designated open space under the Victorian Government’s 2018 Fishermans Bend Framework. The City of Port Phillip purchased the site to ensure it was retained as open space. This decision was welcomed by the BCNA, and we continue to advocate for adequate green space for residents as the precinct develops.

The school is expected to open in 2026 with places for 650 students from Prep to Grade 6. Currently in the design phase, a builder for the project is expected to be appointed in late 2024.

New Underground Rail Route through Fishermans Bend

A recent article in The Age (paywall) reports that a new cross-city rail route, dubbed Melbourne Metro 2, has been endorsed by the Department of Transport and Planning.

The proposed line rail line, which would run from Clifton Hill to Newport, would include two stations in Fishermans Bend as shown in the map here:

The BCNA, Council and the Fishermans Bend Business Forum have urged the State Government to meet its 2018 commitments regarding rail and tram services into the Fishermans Bend. This would promote greater certainty for developers that the promised services will be available for residents on completion of projects.   The current uncertainty has led to delays in projects (see Age article).

There has been no announcement as to when funding for the promised rail and tram services will be provided.

Making Williamstown Road Safer for All Users

The City of Port Phillip is advocating to the Department of Transport and Planning for the installation of a signalised crossing and improved pedestrian and bike riding infrastructure on Williamstown Road and Beacon Road. They are seeking community input on design options.

Traffic volumes have increased on Williamstown Road as new apartments are completed in Fishermans Bend and this is making use more difficult for all road users. The BCNA has been advocating for the State Government to honour promises made in the 2018 Fishermans Bend framework to introduce tram services into Fishermans Bend.

The BCNA strongly encourages community feedback to Council about their proposals. The consultation period closes on 9 June 2024. Click here to provide your feedback.