Public Art in Port Melbourne

The Port Melbourne Yacht Club dinghy shed has provided a canvas for a mural celebrating Port Melbourne's rich immigration history as shown here:

The project was initiated by the Port Melbourne Business Association and funded by the Victorian Government.

Our Coastal Future

The City of Port Phillip (Council) has commenced work to develop a range of actions for implementation over coming years in how we use and manage our foreshore (foreshore Crown land, including adjacent public open space, clubs and businesses). Council is also developing a long-term strategic plan to understand the coastal hazards such as erosion and flooding, including inland areas, and their potential impacts across our city to better prepare us for the future (across both private freehold and public crown land).

Council is seeking nominations from community groups, clubs, residents and businesses for a Community Reference Group to provide input, feedback and advice to inform the development of the updated Foreshore Management Plan and new Coastal Adaptation Plan. Nominations close March 31, 2025.

The BCNA supports this work and encourages members to consider nominating for the reference group. The BCNA committee will also consider nominating a committee member. Click here for more information about this work.

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.

Sea Wall Repairs

The City of Port Phillip has arranged for repairs to the concrete structures (known as Seabees) underneath the promenade for the Beacon Cove Bay Trail. The work is expected to start in mid-April and is expected to take 3 weeks, weather and tide permitting. Click here for more information.

Upgrades to the Sandridge Bay Trail

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) is seeking community feedback on the upgrade to the area around the Bay Trail at Sandridge Beach. This is in response to safety concerns about how pedestrians, cyclists and cars move around the space and interact with each other.

CoPP has been able to address some of these concerns with smaller safety works, but are now proposing more comprehensive improvements. To find out more information and to provide your feedback, please go to their ‘Have Your Say’ website. Consultation closes 5 pm, Sunday 16 April.

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.

Further Update on Boat Landing Closure

We have recently received the following further update from the City of Port Phillip regarding the closure of the Boat Landing next to Mr Hobsons on Station Pier.

Officers have now engaged a contractor to undertake the necessary repair works. We are anticipating the contractor will commence the week commencing January 10th, subject to receipt of the necessary permits to undertake the works in time. The works are expected to be completed within 3-4 weeks, therefore we anticipate the boat landing being reopened in early February, upon final inspection confirming it is safe to do so.

In the interim the St Kilda Ferry will continue to operate from the Eastern boardwalk adjacent Mr Hobsons restaurant as per the current agreement. Priority access has been given to the ferry during the normal docking times to assist with their operations.

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.

Draft Council Plan and Draft Budget 2021/22

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) has released a draft Council Plan 2021-31 and a draft budget for 2021-22.

Proposed capital works for Port Melbourne are shown on pages 62-63 of Council’s draft Plan and includes funds for Station Pier Jetty and Boardwalk Renewal, and a toilet upgrade at Waterfront Place.

Councill’s draft budget for 2021/22 shows an expected surplus of $14 million. It assumes a rate increase of 1.5%. Details are shown on the City of Port Phillip’s website at www.portphillip.vic.gov.au. Comments on both documents will be received up until 23rd May 2021.

Our Latest Newsletter is Out

Volunteers are currently dropping copies of our newsletter in mailboxes throughout Beacon Cove. It covers a number of topics including:

• New City of Port Phillip councillors for Gateway Ward
• Activating Bay Street
• Update on 1-7 Waterfront Place
• Beacon Cove Foodstore Redevelopment - 103 Beach Street
• Reinvestment in the Waterfront Place Precinct
• Air quality monitoring near Station Pier
• BCNA AGM
• BCNA residents' dinners

To get it (in PDF form), click on this link.  And please send it onto others in Beacon Cove who may not see our webpage or get the email notification.

Improved Lighting Along Beach Street

We've received this by email from Bernadene Voss, Councillor at City of Port Phillip.

Construction will start next week to remove the existing green, goose-neck foreshore & Bay Trail lights between Station Pier in Port Melbourne and Kerferd Road in Albert Park. The existing goose-neck poles have reached the end of their asset life, with many poles failing in the last 12-months. Existing light levels are also inadequate and inconsistent.



New poles and LED lights will decrease power consumption, reduce maintenance, and improve lighting quality and security. The new LED lanterns are designed not to emit upward light pollution, consistent with dark-sky preservation requirements. Light temperature and colour is consistent with best-practice for the protection of fauna.

Construction signage will be installed at key locations along the foreshore to inform local residents, businesses and users of the Bay Trail. More information will be available on the Council’s website. Construction is expected to take four-months to complete (July to October 2019) with minimal disruption to the Bay Trail and footpaths. Lighting will be replaced in four stages to minimise overall disruption, starting at Station Pier.

Temporary lighting will be used in each stage to ensure that public safety is maintained while existing lights are decommissioned and new lights installed. The total budget for the project is $1,200,000.

Swallow Street to Promenade Pedestrian Ramp Upgrade

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) will be upgrading the pedestrian ramp from the Promenade to Swallow Street. The work includes installation of a wider ramp, levelling and resurfacing of pavement leading to the stairs and reinstatement of adjoining garden beds. A temporary compound for bins will be required which will occupy 3 car spaces in the ‘Loading Zone 8 am to 4 pm Tuesday to Friday’ area at the end of Swallow Street.



The work is scheduled to commence on Monday 23 April 2018. Further information can be obtained from Helene Agius at CoPP on 9209 6152.

Beacon Cove Seawall Repairs

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) will commence seawall repairs this week. Certain areas of the seawall require repair to maintain structural integrity.

The work will predominantly be in an area close to Princes Pier. All work is expected to be completed by 31 March 2018, weather permitting.  The CoPP will attempt to minimise disruption to use of the boardwalk.

Walkspot: How Safe Do You Feel Walking?

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) has alerted us to the following survey about the safety of the pedestrian network, eg footpaths, walking paths, streets, etc.  So far there only seems to be two comments about the Beacon Cove area.  If you'd like to add your comments or suggestions go to this web page.

Naval tribute unveiled in Port Melbourne

A striking bronze sculpture of a young World War II sailor gazing towards Port Phillip Bay was unveiled recently on the Port Melbourne foreshore.

The sculpture, Answering the Call, is located opposite the intersection of Beach Street and Dow Street, Port Melbourne. It is near the site of HMAS Lonsdale, the Naval Reserve Base which was commissioned on 1 August 1940 and decommissioned in 1992.

The memorial sculpture was the vision of Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie Gregory, whose energy and enthusiasm was the driving force behind the project. Port of Melbourne Corporation's (PoMC) CEO Nick Easy joined Commander Gregory’s daughter, Jane Gregory, and representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, City of Port Phillip and the Anzac Centenary Committee at the opening event.

Port Melbourne Waterfront Activation Plan

Many of you have probably heard of the Port Melbourne Waterfront Activation Plan but some of you, like me, may have not had much idea of what it actually was.

So Van Le-Hugh from the City of Port Phillip has kindly provided this brief overview for us.

In 2012, local residents BCNA and businesses brought to Council’s attention a noticeable lack of vitality in the activity centre including Beach St and Port Melbourne waterfront. From this an extensive community consultation process took place and the three strategic directions to address the lack of vitality and issues were identified as follows: 

1. Create a place that meets resident and user needs and reflects their value of the beach environment and heritage 
2. Enhance the public realm to deliver diverse staying places that are comfortable all year around and promote self-sustaining activity 
3. Improve the visitor experience; making it easier to get around, access amenity, activity and business, and to enjoy in its own right.

As a result the PMWF Activation Plan was developed and identified and prioritised 26 actions for implementation over two years 2014-2016.

Van also provided the following links for related programmes:

• The Vibrant Villages Program http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/vibrant-villages.htm 
• The ARTcontained project at Waterfront http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/ARTcontained.htm  

The BCNA is actively involved with the development of Port Melbourne Activation Plan.

Our Latest Newsletter is Out

Over the last week volunteers dropped copies of our newsletter in mailboxes throughout Beacon Cove. It covers a number of topics including:

City of Port Phillip budget
Pedestrian and cyclist safety along the promenade and shared path
1-7 Waterfront Place
Outcome of the Victorian Electoral Commission review of the City of Port Phillip
Beacon Cove Foodstore redevelopment
Webb Dock development
Notice of AGM (Thursday 8 October)

For those who would like an electronic copy, it can be downloaded here.

Beacon Cove Marine Asset Upgrade Works

The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) has recently started work on upgrading and repairing some of the timber and structural assets on the Beacon Cove promenade.  A PDF which summarises the work can be downloaded here.

President's Report 2014

The President's Report has just been published.  Click here to download it.

Major items

• 1-7 Waterfront Place
• C73 Planning Amendment
• City of Port Phillip
• Port of Melbourne Corporation
• Port Melbourne Waterfront Re-Activation Plan
• Princes Pier - Expressions of Interest
• Fisherman's Bend - Our New Neighbour
• Social Events