Princes Street Storm Water Drain

Since our earlier update, the City of Port Phillip (Council) have told us that they are researching a potential improvement to the outfall at Princes Street beach.

The Council is progressing a design aimed at mitigating water ponding along the Port Melbourne foreshore. The current proposal includes a Gross Pollutant Trap and a small-scale wetland system. Upon completion, the conceptual design will support an engineering feasibility assessment - undertaken in partnership with Melbourne Water - to evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed solution.

The BCNA welcomes this work as it has the potential to overcome the health and amenity effects of the present discharge onto the beach. We will provide updates as information becomes available.

Princes Street Storm Water Drain

Melbourne Water has been undertaking desilting work to clear blockages at the mouth and further upstream.

The BCNA has had long standing concerns about health and appearance issues associated with this drain and has discussed them with representatives from Melbourne Water. The pond at the mouth of the drain is attractive to children as it has the appearance of being safe. However, birds foul the water making it unsafe. The discharge from the drain also conveys a poor image of the area, particularly after heavy rainfall events in the catchment as shown here.

Click/tap here for details of earlier BCNA discussions with Melbourne Water. Increased maintenance, such as more extensive cleaning and shaping to improve water flow, has been considered the best way to improve amenity.

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.

BCNA’s Meetings with Nina Taylor MP and Ward Councillors

BCNA arranges regular meetings with Nina Taylor MP, State Member for Albert Park, and with our City of Port Phillip Ward Councillors to discuss local issues. A report from recent meetings follows.

Nina Taylor MP

Your BCNA representatives covered topics including height, traffic, and infrastructure concerns with the Barak Beacon public housing redevelopment, the delay in providing public transport commitments in Fishermans Bend, and the lack of EPA funding to progress an acoustic camera trial in the City of Port Phillip.

The BCNA remains keen to meet Ministers with responsibility for Station Pier and Waterfront Place to discuss redevelopment. Nina offered to arrange meetings for us. Updates will be discussed at future meetings and reported on here.

City of Port Phillip Ward Councillors

At our meeting with Councillors Heather Cunsolo, Marcus Pearl, and Peter Martin we discussed the future of the Waterfront Place precinct and Council support for arranging a forum with stakeholders to discuss precinct planning, Council support for an acoustic camera trial to detect hoon noise, maintenance and improvements at the mouth of the Princes Street stormwater drain, tram track duplication adjacent to 103 Beach Street, and BCNA’s concerns with the Barak Road housing redevelopment. Future news items will report progress.

BCNA Budget submission

Over the months of March to May each year, the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) develops its budget for the coming financial year. Each year the BCNA makes a submission to CoPP outlining priorities for consideration. This year our submission proposes that priority should be on measures to counter hoon driving and excessive vehicle noise, cooperative action with the Victorian Government and Ports Victoria to enhance the Waterfront Place precinct, additional beach cleaning at the head of the Prince's Street drain, enforcement of off leash areas for dogs, creation of a family reserve near Port Melbourne Lifesaving Clubhouse, and graffiti removal.  Details are shown in the submission here.

Princes Street Storm Water Drain

The Beacon Cove Neighbourhod Association (BCNA) has long had concerns about health and appearance issues with this drain, which is owned by Melbourne Water. The pond at the mouth of the drain is attractive to children as it has the appearance of being safe. However, the storm water carries a range of unhealthy bacteria and objects and birds foul the pooled water making it unsafe. The discharge from the drain also conveys a poor image of the area, including visitors from cruise ships. BCNA continues to advocate for enhancements in keeping with Melbourne's status as a "liveable city".

On 13 February, representatives from BCNA met onsite with John Thwaites, Chairman of the Board of Melbourne Water, and key staff.  Since our meeting in March 2022, Melbourne Water has researched various capital spending alternatives but none were considered feasible. A complication is the ongoing shifting sands imposed by waves and currents. Another factor is the redevelopment of Station Pier by the Victorian Government as explained here.

Increased maintenance, such as more extensive cleaning and shaping to improve water flow, was considered the best outcome to improve amenity. Melbourne Water plans to discuss this option with City of Port Phillip staff. 

The current drain has an expected life up to 2036.

Update on Election Pledges Affecting Beacon Cove

As at 23 November, the BCNA has received responses from Lauren Sherson (Liberal) and Nina Taylor (Labor), candidates standing for Albert Park. The candidates were asked to respond to our questions on a number of Beacon Cove related issues.

The BCNA initially asked candidates to respond by 18th November but we then extended this deadline to Sunday 20th November. A summary of the responses received so far are:

1. Station Pier and Waterfront Place precinct: Lauren Sherson believes the State Government lacks vision for this important piece of infrastructure. She supports consultation and support between all levels of government and the community. Nina Taylor understands the concerns around the amenity of the Station Pier precinct and will advocate for the best long-term outcome for the local community.
2. Air quality near Station Pier: Lauren Sherson is concerned that little reliable information can be accessed by residents on the levels of sulphur dioxide on and around the pier. 
3. Hoon driving and related vehicle noise: Lauren Sherson believes hoon driving is a significant issue. She believes the EPA is currently under resourced to deal with this issue. Nina Taylor believes hooning is not only unsafe but unfair on local residents.
4. Princes Street drain: Lauren Sherson believes it is not acceptable that visitors and kids are swimming in stormwater from our streets as it is a significant health concern. 
5. EPA capability: Lauren Sherson believes the EPA has failed its legislated responsibilities in monitoring and enforcement in Port Melbourne and across Albert Park District. Nina Taylor states that the Government has significantly boosted the investment in the Environmental Protection Agency.
6. Development of Fishermans Bend: Lauren Sherson believes the endless delays see Fishermans Bend without public transport infrastructure, without road upgrades, without incentive for private investment. Nina Taylor believes Fishermans Bend is a once in a generation opportunity to reshape the future of our city, ensuring access to thousands of new jobs and high-quality services for Melburnians. Sustainable transport options will be crucial as residents and jobs in Fishermans Bend increase.

Click on the names below to see the candidates' detailed responses:

• Lauren Sherson (our questions in black, and her responses are in red)
• Nina Taylor

We are yet to receive responses from Georgie Dragwidge (Independent) and Kim Samiotis (Greens) and will post these when they are received.

State Election 2022

In recent years, the BCNA has asked candidates standing for Council, State and Federal elections for their views on important local issues. For the State election we have contacted four of the candidates standing for Albert Park. They are Nina Taylor – Labor, Lauren Sherson – Liberal, Kim Samiotis – Greens and Georgie Dragwidge – Independent.

We have sought each candidates’ views on the redevelopment Station Pier and Waterfront Place precinct, air quality monitoring near Station Pier, hoon driving and vehicle noise, the Princes Street drain, EPA capability and the development of Fishermans Bend. Our questions to each candidate can be downoaded here.

We have asked the candidates to respond by 18th November. We will post their responses here.

Princes Street Storm Water Drain

The storm water drain from Princes Street into the bay near Station Pier continues to attract attention. The BCNA has long had concerns on health and appearance issues associated with this drain, which is owned by Melbourne Water, and continues to advocate for enhancements in keeping with Melbourne’s status as a “liveable city”.

On 31 March this year, representatives from the BCNA met onsite with John Thwaites, Chairman of the Board of Melbourne Water, and Tim Wood, General Manager of Asset Management Services at Melbourne Water. The BCNA outlined the issues associated with the drain, noting its propensity to stagnate with associated health issues, and suggested it presented a poor face to cruise ship visitors at the gateway to Victoria. The BCNA noted the recent upgrade to Melbourne Water’s Shakespeare Grove storm water outlet, just south of Donovan’s restaurant in St Kilda, and suggested this was worthy of consideration for Princes Street.

Melbourne Water indicated the drain was a major capital asset and had an estimated further life of 25 years. They proposed to undertake consultation with the CoPP regarding near term enhancements such as pumping arrangements to reduce pooling. The BCNA will continue to advocate for improvements to this important location.

Council News Affecting Beacon Cove

The BCNA regularly meets Gateway Ward Councillors to discuss issues of mutual interest. At our meeting on 8 November with the Mayor, Marcus Pearl, and Councillors Cunsolo and Martin we discussed:

• Local Laws to stop hooning: The BCNA contacted Gateway Ward Councillors in October and asked if Port Phillip council would consider introducing similar Local Laws as other Councils have done. Councillors are waiting on a meeting with Victoria Police to hear and discuss the proposal. 
• Safety concerns with shared paths in the area: This was explained in a recent news item.
• 103 Beach Street (the Foodstore site): The BCNA raised three issues. One, the plaza area in front of the building should be redeveloped at the same time as the building. Second, car parking to the north of the building, which is on crown land, should be reviewed and redesigned with a view to increasing car parking spaces (five spaces will be resumed by the owner for the building). Third, it is desirable that the tram line duplication occurs at the same time as the building. All measures should be considered and scheduled to minimise disruption to the community.
• Princes Street drain: Peter Smith, the CEO of the City of Port Phillip, has met representatives from Melbourne Water to discuss the health and amenity concerns as explained here. The BCNA will arrange a meeting with Melbourne Water.
• Traffic management in Graham Street and on Williamstown Road: The BCNA raised issues at our July meeting. More recently, residents’ have raised concerns about the right turn from Plummer Street into Woolworths. Councillors agreed that this was a concern and plan to ask that this is included in a wider traffic safety study.
• Accessing Council’s website:  Many residents find navigating Council’s revamped website difficult. Councillors are aware of this. They asked that residents could provide feedback to the Mayor, Marcus Pearl, at marcus.pearl@portphillip.vic.gov.au.
• Out of character light poles installed by CitiPower: CitiPower replaces defective light poles as required and instals temporary ‘out of character’ poles until Council supplies a matching ‘goose neck’ style pole. Recently, there has been a delay in installing replacement poles. The Mayor, Marcus Pearl, agreed to check on this.
• Overflowing rubbish bins along the foreshore: With lots of people visiting the foreshore at weekends there is often an overflow of rubbish, made worse if bins are not emptied early in the day. Councillors are aware of the problem. They requested residents to report overflowing bins by using Council’s ASSIST reporting service, or to use the ‘Snap Send Solve’ app. This action helps Council to direct resources to problem locations.

Council News Affecting Beacon Cove

The BCNA regularly meets City of Port Phillip (CoPP) Gateway Ward Councillors to discuss issues of mutual interest. At our recent meeting on 13th July with the Deputy Mayor, Marcus Pearl, and Councillors Cunsolo and Martin we discussed:

• Princes Street drain: The BCNA has proposed a joint approach to Melbourne Water to seek priority for an upgrade of this drain. This is due to health and amenity concerns as explained here.  We were told that a report is being prepared about options.
• Safety concerns with the Princes Street pedestrian crossing (near the corner of Rouse Street): Nearby residents and the BCNA have raised safety concerns. As a result, the CoPP has installed warning signs in Princes and Rouse Streets to alert drivers to the presence of the pedestrian crossing. Temporary improvements in lighting are planned in 2021/22 before longer term improvements are considered in 2022/23. Once work has finished on the construction of the new apartments at 92 Beach Street and 2-4 Princes Street, traffic surveys will be undertaken to consider whether any permanent measures are required.
• Need for a traffic management plan for the Graham Street/Williamstown Road intersection: Residents have asked about the safety of school children, cyclists and cars at this intersection given the opening of the Port Melbourne Secondary College in February 2022.
  The Councillors report that officers have been meeting with the Department of Transport and the Victorian School Building Authority to identify immediate safety improvements for surrounding streets. The Department of Transport is considering a reduction in the speed limit from 60 km/h to 40 km/h during school hours on Williamstown Road as well as a signalised pedestrian crossing to allow safe access to the new school. Council officers have advocated for a reduction in the speed limit on Williamstown Road from 60 km/h to 50 km/h. Additional safety measures are being considered for the intersection of Plummer and Graham Streets.

Princes Street Storm Water Drain

The BCNA has been advocating for an upgrade to this drain for many years. Storm water discharges directly onto Port Melbourne beach and after heavy rain events a large area of the beach can be covered with an unsightly scum. For example:

The discharge constitutes a health hazard and the pond at the mouth of the drain is an attractive area for children. The discharge also presents a poor image to tourists and visitors.

The drain is the responsibility of Melbourne Water.

The BCNA has discussed our concerns with Councillors Pearl, Cunsolo and Martin and recently raised them at a meeting with Louise Crawford, Mayor of the City of Port Phillip. The BCNA is proposing that the drain be given priority for an upgrade by Melbourne Water.

BCNA’s Budget Submission to Council

BCNA representatives recently met Gateway Ward Councillors Marcus Pearl, Heather Cunsolo, and Peter Martin and discussed the BCNA’s submission for Council’s upcoming budget. Topics discussed included redevelopment of the Waterfront Place precinct which BCNA has advocated for several years, support for the redevelopment of the Port Melbourne Life Saving Club’s proposal for a family reserve near the club and an upgrade of toilets and change rooms, and improved cleaning of the beach near the Princes Street drain. The BCNA submission can be accessed here.    

Station Pier Redevelopment

In January, the Victorian Ports Corporation Melbourne (VPCM) submitted a proposal to the Department of Treasury and Finance for funding the redevelopment of Station Pier.

The BCNA submitted a list of issues that required review to improve the functioning of Station Pier and the precinct. They included traffic flow (adequacy of the queuing lane and the Princes Street roundabout), easy movement of ship passengers from ship to shore, the need for a taxi/bus area for cruise ship visitors, public realm improvements (the whole area is very weather exposed), lack of shops and amenities, parking, and the need to work closely with Melbourne Water so that the storm water drain can be realigned as part of any capital works program.

If VPCM’s budget bid is successful, details will be announced in the Victorian Government’s Budget on 27th May 2019.

Port Planning - Domestic Ferry and Cruise Ship Operations

The Victorian Ports Corporation Melbourne (VPCM) received $5.8 million in the recent State Budget. This is to undertake planning works to facilitate the growth of domestic ferry and cruise ship operations. As part of this process the VPCM will be convening a series of stakeholder engagement meetings over the next six months to hear from the community. The BCNA has been invited to participate.

The VPCM is taking a wide view of the problems in the area. They are committed to exploring solutions to improve traffic flow. Given this, the BCNA has developed an initial list of issues for discussion with the VPCM. The list includes:

• Traffic issues (adequacy of the queuing lane and the Princes Street roundabout)
• Station Pier (cruise ship visitors need easy movement from ship to shore)
• The need for a taxi/bus area for cruise ship visitors
• Public realm improvements (the whole area is very weather exposed)
• Lack of shops and amenities
• Parking
• The need to work closely with Melbourne Water so that the storm water drain can be realigned as part of any capital works program.

Our complete list of issues can be downloaded here.

BCNA Budget Submission to City of Port Phillip

Each year the BCNA makes a submission to the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) for their consideration in developing the Council’s budget for the upcoming budget year.

In recent years the BCNA has been successful in advocating proposals for work on improved lighting on the bike trail and for improved safety features on the Promenade during 2017. In 2018/19 our submission includes a traffic management study for the Beacon Cove area; possible improvements to the community bus service between Port Melbourne and St Kilda, improved signage near the Princes Street drain to alert beach users to the unsafe water, and continued efforts to manage and prevent graffiti. Further details can be accessed here.

Princes Street Storm Water Drain

The BCNA has been advocating for an upgrade to this drain. The heavy rains in late December 2016 and in January 2017 highlighted the problems. Storm water discharges directly onto Port Melbourne beach and a large area was covered by a very smelly and unsightly scum. This type of event occurs after heavy rains in the catchment. The scum constitutes a health hazard as there is inadequate signage by the EPA alerting beach users and swimmers to the dangers. It also provides a poor image to tourists and visitors.

The drain is the responsibility of Melbourne Water. A re-alignment was agreed between Melbourne Water and the community in 2006 that would take the storm water further out into the bay. Unfortunately, this work has not been given priority. The BCNA has written to the Minister for Water seeking an upgrade but without success. We have discussed our concerns with The Hon. Martin Foley, the State Member for Albert Park. He has undertaken to discuss our concerns with the Minister for Water.

Princes Street Storm Water Drain

Heavy rains in late December and January highlighted problems with this drain. Storm water discharges directly onto Port Melbourne beach and a large area was covered by a very smelly and unsightly scum. This constitutes a health hazard and there is inadequate signage by the EPA alerting beach users and swimmers to the dangers. It also provides a poor image to tourists and visitors.

The BCNA has contacted the EPA and met our Gateway Ward councillors to discuss the health hazards and to reaffirm that a drain upgrade is needed. Follow up meetings are planned. The drain is the responsibility of Melbourne Water. A re-alignment was agreed with Melbourne Water in 2006 that would take the storm water further out into the bay. Unfortunately, this work has not been given priority.

BCNA Budget Submissions to Council

Each year BCNA makes a submission to the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) for their consideration in developing the Council’s budget for the upcoming financial year.

In 2016/17 we were successful  in achieving:

• Bike trail lighting – eighty new public lighting poles and LED luminaries between Beach St and Boundary St, Port Melbourne have now been installed, making for increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Safety on the Promenade – the CoPP has completed a feasibility study on potential ramps along the Promenade between Station and Princes Piers. For cost reasons, there are no current plans to construct ramps. However, our request for handrails on the steps between the piers has been granted, and they will be installed by the end of the year. Whilst this is not a solution to separation of the paths, the handrails will improve safety for pedestrians.

For the 2017/18 budget we have sought:

• Graffiti removal – increased resources for preventative strategies and quick removal of areas affected by graffiti.
• Princes Street storm water drain – collaboration with the EPA to develop and install improved signage regarding poor water quality, particularly in the pond at the mouth of the drain. An upgrade of the drain in the longer term.
• 1-7 Waterfront Place – pending longer-term redevelopment of the site, action to ensure a clean up of the site.
• Waterfront Place/Station Pier toilet facility – resources to fund a street level accessible toilet in the Waterfront Place area.