Responses from State Election Candidates

The BCNA has received responses from three of the eight candidates standing for the District of Albert Park in the forthcoming State election. The BCNA sent a questionnaire on18 September to all known candidates and asked them to respond by close of business Thursday 8th October.

Click/tap below to read the responses received from:

Tammy Lindrum - One Nation

Adrian King - Independent

Sonya Semmens - Greens

If we receive responses from Colleen Bolger (Socialists), Andrew Cook (Liberals), Georgie Dragwidge (Independent), Dan O’Neill (Animal Justice Party), and Nina Taylor MP (Labor), we will post them here.

Recap of BCNA’s Annual General Meeting

The BCNA held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 24th September. This meeting is rapidly becoming a key source of local news. This year, with three local representatives in attendance, the evening ended up being a detailed outline of progress across a wide range of Port Melbourne issues.

The Guest Speaker was Councillor Alex Makin, Mayor of the City of Port Phillip. He mentioned the following:

• The acoustic camera trial expected to be installed by the end of 2026 - he complimented Nina Taylor MP for her advocacy about this;
• Boom gates may be possible at Waterfront Place; and
• Council is working with Port Melbourne Business Association (PMBA) to make Bay street look less drab and that Council is hoping to activate the site of the old Telstra building at corner of Bay and Liardet Streets until the new building commences (in Council terminology, activation means taking appropriate action to enable some public use of a site).

Port Melbourne Ward Councillor Heather Cunsolo mentioned: 

• Possible activation of the land at 1-5 Waterfront Place until construction of the new building commences;
• The Barak Beacon development will have a café, parks, and gardens and that they will be open to the community; and
• A new pedestrian crossing on Beacon Road towards Beach Street and that the State Government has not agreed to car activated traffic lights at the intersection of Beacon Road and Williamstown Road. 

Ms. Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, mentioned:

• Her advocacy for a precinct plan for Waterfront Place;
• Future uses of the freight yard near Station Pier as Ports Victoria only requires about 30 per cent of the area;
• The cruise ship strategy rests with the Minister for Tourism;
• The Victorian Government has increased bus services in Fishermans Bend;
• There has been a quality fit out in apartments at the Barak Beacon development; and
• Recently released crime statistics which shows crime is too high and that more needs to be done.

Click/tap here for a summary of the meeting and the President's Report.

State Election 2026 - Questions to Candidates

Since our last update the BCNA has sent questions to candidates standing for the District of Albert Park. We ask about their reasons for nominating, priorities for Albert Park and for Victoria, and then ask about support for new housing, the City of Port Phillip’s planning provisions, anti hooning measures, the Station Pier and the Waterfront Place precinct, Fishermans Bend, and Community Safety. Click/tap here for the specific questions we asked.

We have asked candidates to return their responses by 8th October. We will post them on this website soon after 8th October.

Update on Plans for the Ground Floor at 103 Beach Street

The BCNA has received positive responses to the proposed plan to vary the layout of the ground floor at 103 Beach Street as explained earlier.

The owners have since made some adjustments to the plans. They are proposing dividing the area between two 2-bedroom apartments and a café/retail outlet.

The BCNA has discussed details with representatives of the Owners Corporation (OC). We are told that there continues to be interest in the retail area. The BCNA continues to welcome feedback on the proposal to our President or Secretary.

Plans for the Ground Floor at 103 Beach Street

The Owners Corporation (OC) for 103 Beach Street has contacted BCNA to say they, together with the developer, plan to submit revised plans for the ground floor to the City of Port Phillip. The owners will be seeking approval for change of use for this area.

The original design allowed the full ground floor to be available for retail and hopefully, a small supermarket. The OC has emphasised that considerable effort has been made to secure a retail lease/supermarket. However, this has been unsuccessful after extensive searches. Considering this, the OC is of the view that it is best to adjust the configuration to fill the ground level and complete the building. The revised plan is to use the Waterfront Place side of the ground floor for retail use and the Beach Street side to create 2 apartments.

The OC hopes to attract a retail outlet similar to Gumtree (in Albert Park), providing coffee, lunches, wine, cheeses & grab and go dinners. We have been told that this smaller configuration has sparked  interest from an established provider of this type of service.

The front facade on the building will remain unchanged.

The BCNA will be considering the plans shortly. In the meantime, feedback on the proposal is welcome by emailing our President an/or Secretary.

1-5 Waterfront Place

Since our last update we have heard that the City of Port Phillip has approved plans for the site.

We have been unsuccessful in contacting the builder to find out the start date.

Waterfront Place Update

We also got an update on the Waterfront Place precinct.  Ms Taylor stated that she would apply for a Development Victoria grant to develop a masterplan for the precinct. She asked the BCNA for details as the BCNA has advocated for a masterplan. For example, at a meeting with the Victorian Government’s Minister for Ports and Freight, The Hon. Melissa Horne MP, in October 2023. The masterplan is described on the final page of BCNA’s presentation.

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

Impact of Development at 1-5 Waterfront Place on Port Melbourne Railway Station

A member recently alerted us to an advertisement concerning the railway station and the development at 1-5 Waterfront Place.

A small portion of land covered by the heritage overlay for the railway station will be affected by the development. It is explained on the Heritage Victoria website. Scroll down to find Port Melbourne Railway Station, 101 Beach Street Port Melbourne (VHR H0983).

The developer of 1-5 Waterfront Place has commissioned a Heritage Impact Assessment.

The advertisement invites submissions on the application up until 25th November. Members are encouraged to read the heritage impact assessment. The BCNA does not plan to make a submission, however if you have concerns, consider a private submission. Instructions on how to prepare and lodge a submission are provided on the Heritage Victoria website.

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.

BCNA Welcomes City of Port Phillip Advocacy for the Redevelopment of Station Pier and Waterfront Place

The BCNA welcomes the advocacy by the City of Port Phillip for the future of Station Pier and the nearby area. Click/tap here for more details.

The BCNA has been advocating for Victorian Government leadership to revitalise Station Pier and the Waterfront Place precinct for some years. Unfortunately, the area presents a poor image to visitors. It lacks shops, amenities and attractions for residents and visitors and is very weather exposed. This and other weaknesses are well known.

The development of a Victorian Cruise Shipping Strategy by Ports Victoria, as explained in the Victorian Government’s 2022 Navigating our Port Futures Strategy, is one way the Victorian Government could lead redevelopment of the area. The BCNA participated in discussions to develop a cruise shipping strategy earlier this year.

Update on 1-7 Waterfront Place

The BCNA recently met representatives from the developer to hear about progress. The GFM group is managing overall development. CASA, a subsidiary, is responsible for all work on the site.

VCAT agreed to revised plans last April. Since then, CASA has revised the plans to implement agreed changes. There will now be fewer three-bedroom apartments and more two-bedroom apartments. This change means the number of apartments increases from 84 to 87. Changes are also planned to the two basement-level car parks to allow better use and to increase car parks by 3-4. CASA expected to submit revised plans to the City of Port Phillip last week. Work is expected to commence on the site in December 2025.

The GFM group has leased three levels of 92 Beach Street (the old London Hotel site) for their work at 1-7 Waterfront Place. A sales and admin office will be on the ground floor, and a display unit will be on the second floor.

Finally, the BCNA understands there has been a consolidation of titles for the site so that it is now known as 1 and 5 Waterfront Place. 7 Waterfront Place will be at the Station Pier entrance to the former food store site at 103 Beach Street.

1-7 Waterfront Place - Agreement Reached at VCAT

Agreement has been reached on permit conditions for the proposed plans. The City of Port Phillip had set conditions on the 2022 VCAT approved plans, and the new owners sought some changes. These were discussed at VCAT’s Compulsory Conference on 30th April.

The building will have 84 apartments and some retail and office space (click/tap here for plans).

The key issues to resolve were about the allocation of internal parking, external shading, and the management of loading and unloading of vehicles.

The BCNA welcomes the new plans. We sought improvements to the allocation of internal parking (to minimise parking in nearby streets), traffic flow along Beach Street to the west to avoid blockages on Beach Street, management of the loading and unloading of vehicles to avoid vehicles being parked on Beach Street, and the screening of services at the top of the building. Agreement was reached in all these areas.  VCAT has now released details which can be accessed here.

Traffic flow is the responsibility of the City of Port Phillip and BCNA’s representatives discussed details with City of Port Phillip staff at the conference.

We expect the owners will now finalise the plans and seek an amended building permit from the City of Port Phillip.

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.

Update on 1-7 Waterfront Place

Since our earlier report, the BCNA has now been able to study the proposed plans ahead of VCAT’s Compulsory Conference on 30th April. The new owners have proposed modifications to the plans approved by VCAT in 2022. A Compulsory Conference is a mediation process - an opportunity to resolve a matter and avoid the cost of a VCAT Hearing.

Having seen the new design, BCNA supports the intent. However, we promote the allocation of sufficient internal parking for visitors of residents and for the commercial and retail facilities and offices, as there is insufficient parking nearby. We have also highlighted the potential for vehicles exiting the site travelling west along Beach Street to obstruct traffic if attempting to turn right at the break in the median strip to do either a U-turn or to turn into the western entrance to Park Square.

New Plans for 1-7 Waterfront Place

Representatives of the new owners have told us that they have developed modified plans (from those approved by VCAT in October 2022) and that the plans are now on display on the City of Port Phillip website. To access details of the modified proposals, click/tap here, scroll down to "Current appeals", then click/tap on 1-7 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne.  Alternatively, click/tap here for the architect plans and click/tap here for the statement of changes.

The modified plans include an enlarged entrance and forecourt area on Beach Street. This is designed to get vehicles visiting the property off Beach Street. Vehicles will enter a forecourt area to set down passengers before exiting to Beach Street, or to underground parking. The architects have ‘softened’ the earlier design by using curves on corners and features and have sought to allow more light into ground floor areas.

There will be a total of 84 apartments (down from 119), and 164 car spaces over two levels underneath the building. There will be a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom apartments.

The BCNA welcomes the new plans as they offer improvements over the existing VCAT approved design. In particular, the new entrance and set down area will improve traffic flow on Beach Street which will become more congested over time.

The next step is a VCAT compulsory conference on 30 April of the parties that participated in the earlier VCAT Hearing.

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.

1-7 Waterfront Place Update

Representatives from the BCNA recently met with executives from Casa Property, who confirmed their recent purchase of 1-7 Waterfront Place from Action Australia Group. Before purchase, Casa Property did extensive research on the development site and the existing permit that allows for a 10 storey development. They propose to refresh the design and, in the near future, to demolish the building remnants from the original Mirvac design. This location has a long and sorry history and the BCNA looks forward to building on the relationship with Casa Property to encourage a development that refreshes this important community site.

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.