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.

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.

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.

Our Newsletter is Out

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

• Invitation to renters to become members, 
• Hoon driving and related noise.
• Update on Foodstore redevelopment at 103 Beach Street
• The Barak Beacon public housing site
• Update on 1 and 7 Waterfront Place 
• Council news affecting Beacon Cove: Dogs off leash in public spaces, and Port Phillip’s Housing Strategy 
• BCNA’s Annual General Meeting
• BCNA’s residents’ dinners
• Joining the BCNA

The BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing.

To get the electronic version of the newsletter, please click here.

Vale Save Port Melbourne Gateway (savePMG)

In December 2022 members of savePMG decided to wind up the affairs of the organisation.

savePMG was established in 2013 to oppose efforts by Council to replace community hub buildings at 1 to-7 Waterfront Place, primarily with residential development that would overshadow the Waterfront Place foreshore for many of the colder months of the year. More details about the work of savePMG are shown here.

With the sale of the sites at 1 and 7 Waterfront Place in 2007, the new owner sought approval to redevelop the site. In October 2022, VCAT approved a 10-storey design that would overshadow a significant part of the foreshore at the winter solstice.

The BCNA thanks savePMG for their work to defend the original vision of the Beacon Cove planned estate. We also thank them for the funds that they have passed to BCNA.

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.

BCNA AGM –President’s Report and Summary of Meeting

The BCNA held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 10th November. For those who could not make it a copy of the President’s report to members is available here.

The Guest Speaker was The Hon. Martin Foley MP. He spoke about the Waterfront Place precinct (a muddle of Council, State and Federal issues and needing improvement as it is the second most important gateway for overseas visitors), Port Melbourne Secondary College (road and crossing safety issues), and public and social housing (the need for quality and diverse options). BCNA President, Eddie Micallef presented Mr Foley with a gift on behalf of BCNA as this was the last AGM he will attend as the Member for Albert Park.

Gateway Ward Councillors Marcus Pearl and Peter Martin attended - Mayor Heather Cunsolo was an apology. Councillor Pearl spoke about Waterfront Place precinct (the need for plan for the whole precinct), 1-7 Waterfront Place (Council will not appeal the VCAT decision), the release of plans for the Montague precinct of Fishermans Bend (Council has been seeking release by the Victorian Government for some time), the importance of Melbourne Metro Two for the city and its development, Barak Street housing redevelopment, and planning for a new primary school near Port Melbourne Secondary College.

A summary of the meeting is available here.

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.

VCAT Decision on 1-7 Waterfront Place

VCAT has released their decision on the developer’s appeal against conditions imposed by the City of Port Phillip's (CoPP) when they granted a permit. The VCAT decision can be accessed here. The decision upholds the developer’s appeal to dismiss the conditions so it is likely the development will proceed with the proposed ten storey design, including the overshadowing issues that were the subject of the appeal. No timeframe has been announced by the developer.

The BCNA has constructively participated over 14 years of design approval, with the design being revised from a 19-storey tower to a 10-storey building with attractive features including setback. The BCNA will monitor status as the CoPP considers options and will continue to support good design principles that maximise residents’ amenity and protect our foreshore.

Status of Applications for 1-7 Waterfront Place and 103 Beach Street

Members will be aware of BCNA input into the planning process for both 1-7 Waterfront Place and 103 Beach Street (the former food store).

The developer for Waterfront Place (Action Australia Group) appealed to VCAT against the City of Port Phillip's (CoPP) conditions assigned with the granting of a permit for their most recent design. That matter was heard by VCAT in late March and recent communication from VCAT had indicated their decision would be forthcoming in late June. The BCNA has written to VCAT to request status of their deliberations.

With regard to 103 Beach Street, the developer (Luxcon) has a permit to build a 4 storey apartment building but has applied to the CoPP to vary the design to become 5 storeys with associated changes to configuration and parking. The matter will now be considered by the CoPP Planning Committee in late July.

The BCNA supports redevelopment in principle for both these properties but has concerns that both designs “push the envelope” in terms of overshadowing and community benefit. We continue to monitor these developments on behalf of members.

VCAT Hearing for 1-7 Waterfront Place

During 23-25 March, VCAT heard the appeal by the developer of 1-7 Waterfront Place against the City of Port Phillip’s conditions to the planning permit granted last June.

The conditions passed by Council last June are about minimising overshadowing beyond the southern kerb line along Waterfront Place at the June solstice, by permitting shadow in the morning but not the afternoon. The minimisation of new shadow on the foreshore is a requirement of the Port Phillip Planning Scheme.

Residents and the BCNA are eager to see this issue resolved and new facilities constructed at Waterfront Place. However, we also believe the community values the light-filled area along Waterfront Place, the section of Beach St foreshore near the Princes St roundabout, and opposite the London Hotel - the Waterfront Place bike and pedestrian paths are currently free of overshadowing all year round.

Accordingly, BCNA’s submission supported the Council position and explained that the foreshore is highly valued by the community. We noted that an objective of planning policy has been “to protect and enhance the environment of the Port Melbourne foreshore as an important natural, recreational and tourism asset for metropolitan Melbourne”. The submission included discussion about VCAT decisions for nearby sites, such as the London Hotel site at 92 Beach Street.

The BCNA thanks David Brand, architect and former City of Port Phillip Concillor; Jennie Jones, BCNA member and town planner; Peter Barber, Urban Edge Consultants; and Angus Wallace, Plico Design Studio, for advice provided in the preparation of our submission.

VCAT’s decision is expected in about 6-8 weeks.

1-7 Waterfront Place Update

VCAT arranged a compulsory meeting last Friday, 5th November, between the developer, the City of Port Phillip, and other parties. Such meetings are scheduled to find a resolution as explained earlier.

Unfortunately, there was no resolution. This means it will proceed to a Hearing from 23-25th March 2022, if an agreement has not been reached earlier.

1-7 Waterfront Place Developer Appeals to VCAT

The developer of the site at 1-7 Waterfront Place has decided to appeal the City of Port Phillip's (CoPP) decision regarding the site to VCAT.

The CoPP approved the developer’s plans at a Planning Committee meeting on 24 June, but with amendments to minimise overshadowing of the bike path at the winter solstice as explained here. The implications of CoPP's amendments mean that there would be a reduction in height from 10-storeys as explained here, and this is not acceptable to the developer.

Details of the appeal are explained here.

VCAT has scheduled a compulsory meeting between the CoPP and the developer for 5 November 2021. If there is no resolution at this meeting, there will be a hearing from 23-25 March 2022.

Implications of Council’s Approval of Plans for 1-7 Waterfront Place

The BCNA welcomes the City of Port Phillip's (CoPP) approval of plans for a building on the 1-7 Waterfron Place site.

The BCNA recognises that there are differing views in the community about development on the site. We will continue to work with key stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcome for the community.

The two amendments passed by the CoPP at its Planning Committee meeting on 24 June 2021 are about minimising overshadowing of the bike path along Waterfront Place at the June solstice. This is a requirement of the Port Phillip Planning Scheme. It is stated in Design requirement B8 in Design and Development Overlay 23.

The amendments passed by the CoPP are:

• “…rooftop services to be sited and designed so as not to cast shadows to the bicycle paths along Waterfront Place at the June Solstice, between the hours of 12 midday and 3pm, and are not visible from Beach Street.”
• “…the reduction in the built form of the development above the podium, so as not to cast shadows onto the bicycle paths along Waterfront Place, between the hours of 12 midday to 3pm at the June solstice.”

Other than a reduction in building height, it is not clear how the design would need to change to comply with these amendments. If the changes are not acceptable to the developer, he may appeal to VCAT.