Restaurant Evening C'est Bon

Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association

Social Event
Wednesday 7 July

A great winter experience of wonderful French cooking and wine to match,
Come and share it with your neighbours and friends,

When?
7:00 for 7:30 pm on Wednesday 7 July 2010.

Where?
C’est Bon French Restaurant,
396 Bay Street Port Melbourne (9646 2296)

Why?
The dinner will allow us to socialise with our neighbours. We should have the whole restaurant to ourselves and the Committee will speak to the current activities in our community e.g. 1–11 Waterfront Place, Princes Pier, Webb Dock, Planning Scheme Amendment, Urban Design Framework etc.

Menu?
There are two courses, main (4 choices) and dessert (3 choices), with a complimentary appetiser of chicken parfait en croute.

Cost?
The price will be $45 p.p. - please pay in cash as you arrive to simplify the billing task. Fully licensed cash bar.

How to Book?
Please RSVP by email or phone to Trevor Nink before Monday 21 June at tmnink@bigpond.net.au or 96818283.

We need to confirm sufficient numbers to close the restaurant for the night!

Look forward to a great evening together

The Beacon June 2010

Newsletter of the Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association Inc. (BCNA)

Beacon Cove Planning Scheme Amendment
In our last newsletter we advised on progress and predicted timeframes in relation to the proposed amendment to the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) planning scheme intended to incorporate Beacon Cove into the City planning scheme. Your Committee views this as a vital matter to ensure the future architectural integrity of the Cove. Presently all planning decisions rest with Mirvac and Major Projects Victoria (MPV) in what has proven to be a most unsatisfactory arrangement. Once the amendment is in place Council will be responsible for all future planning decisions in accordance with strict guidelines that will underpin the amendment.
CoPP has recently resolved to request authorisation from the Minister for Planning for the exhibition of the amendment to the City planning scheme. CoPP has also resolved to advise the Minister for Planning of outstanding issues requiring clarification. These relate to inconsistencies in the Environmental Audit Overlays over parts of the Cove. These need to be resolved before approval is granted by the Minister for Planning to allow CoPP to begin exhibition of the Beacon Cove planning scheme amendment. Subsequent correspondence from CoPP reiterates Council’s commitment to pursuing the amendment and informs of Council’s resolution to continue to negotiate with MPV to fund fees associated with the removal of existing covenants and the registration of new covenants on the effected titles. Your Committee will keep you informed as matters proceed.

1-11 Waterfront Place
The future of 1-11 Waterfront Place is still very much a contentious issue. The City of Port Phillip has adopted guidelines limiting any development to around five stories but the State Government is still the final arbitrator on any planning application. The talk around is that a planning application by the owners of the site has been submitted to the Minister for Planning Victoria and this has been further implied by relocation notices for the gymnasium.
The BCNA had been given a public undertaking by the developer that it (BCNA) would be consulted before lodging any formal application. In a Department of Planning letter to BCNA on behalf of the Minister on 25 May it was stated “… the Department had not yet received a formal planning permit application for development on this site.”
In the discussions with the developer, preliminary concept plans showing apartments and shops were tabled. BCNA raised issues re negative impact of any proposed development on the general residential amenity from traffic congestion, shadows, wind and liquor licence problems. Crèche and gymnasium facilities are important to be retained in this location.
Although we have been informed by the developer and the Ministers office there is no formal application pending there has obliviously been dialogue between them. BCNA firmly believes any development must be integrated to the Urban Design Framework (UDF) process that is currently planning for the waterfront precinct. BCNA will seek an outcome that reflects that aim.

Port Melbourne Waterfront UDF Community Reference Committee
The City of Port Phillip is to establish an UDF for the Port Melbourne waterfront, extending from Bay Street to the west end of Beach Street. To assist in the design of the framework the council has appointed seven members of the community to form a Community Reference Committee (CRC) with selected councillors and officers.
The primary purpose of the committee is to provide an avenue of community consultation and to encourage community participation with their ideas and expertise. BCNA Committee member Bob Harrison has been chosen as a member of the CRC. He attended the inaugural meeting in March and advises that meetings will be held at three monthly intervals. He put forward a number of ideas for Princes Pier (PP) in conjunction with BCNA. The CRC considered them, adding detail, and CoPP took them to MPV, the PP project manager. While it is commendable that MPV are quickly at tendering stage for refurbishment of PP, it is hoped that the CRC will be effective in contributing ideas for more than the minor areas of design. Discussion will soon commence on the other than PP.

Landscape Changes in Neighbourhood
Since December there have been many changes in the greenery of the neighbourhood. The grass weathered the summer and flourished with solid early autumn rains.
Julier and Buckingham parks in Sandridge appear to have healthy trees and grass area. The parks along the light rail reserve are being reseeded in grass areas and the recent tree plantings appear to be taking root. The winding gravel paths are being well used.
The plantings of trees and turf in the small parks of Beacon Cove have taken root and enticed families to regularly use these facilities with obvious enjoyment. The Manchurian Pears have sprouted along Beach Street and have been selected to replace the Hills Fig trees removed from the nature strips of Beacon Vista Park. Replacement species in The Crescent will be Tuckeroo trees and BCNA negotiated a two stage phased replacement with up to 5 years to allow the first stage to grow sufficiently to alleviate a bare streetscape. A similar phasing will occur with Kanooka Gums in Swallow Street and Park Square.
Along the promenade, MPV have accepted their responsibility to maintain or replace the garden box plantings between the pedestrian and bicycle paths. This work started at First Point Beach and is now approaching the second tower. Congratulations to MPV with help from CoPP.
Garden City Reserve redevelopment is nearing a long awaited conclusion with few tasks left for the Children’s Playground. Remember the flying fox is meant for the children! The planting of trees and shrubs, widening of paths, extra seating and the relocation of lighting is also near complete. Finally repair of the grass in the open spaces is needed brighten up the reserve.
Sandridge Beach Foreshore stage 2 work has started in late May with path excavation and demolition of old structures. There will be a total of 15 lights installed to increase the safe night usage of walkway and bike path. CoPP has also approved the site and design of the toilet which will be close to the existing playground. Works are forecast to be complete in August.

Name of Princes Pier
Members will have seen the BCNA Committee response in the press to the suggested change of the name of Princes Pier. Member feedback was unanimous that there was no compelling reason to change. If a community groundswell develops in future then all aspects of immigration, troop departures and working history should dictate a new name. Perhaps individual memorials can be incorporated in the spaces being developed in the refurbishment of Princes Pier.

Port Environs Response
The Committee in May responded to the Ports and Environs Advisory Committee Discussion Paper with a submission on behalf of BCNA. If you wish to read this submission, outlining requirements to protect local residential amenity, then it can be found on the blogspot below.

Notice of BCNA Annual General Meeting
Please note in your diaries:
Thursday 14th October 2010
6:30pm Refreshments: 7:00pm AGM
Sandridge Community Centre and Trugo Club.
1 Tucker Ave, Port Melbourne
The AGM is an outstanding opportunity to speak to community leaders about issues of interest to you.

Next Social Event
The next social event will be a two course dinner at C’est Bon French Restaurant, 396 Bay Street on Wednesday 7 July at 7:30 pm. Make a diary note to visit with your neighbours. More to follow soon.

Membership/BCNA Dues for 2010/11
Membership is for the financial year. Renewals are due on or before 1 July 2010. The higher the membership numbers the more impact BCNA’s views have with decision makers. We ask that you join or renew membership at $10 per annum per household. Please send cheques to the Treasurer, 61/103 Beach Street, Port Melbourne payable to BCNA. The following are needed:

Name: ………………………………………………
Address: ……………………………………………
Phone: ……………………………………………..
Email*: …………………………………………….

*By providing your email address, important news and updates can be circulated quickly and regularly. Please send email changes to secretarybcna@gmail.com or call 0404084283.

If you have information, suggestions or concerns, please advise members of the Committee so that we can better reflect and present community views. You can also keep in touch with news on Beacon Cove at www.BeaconCoveNA.blogspot.com

BCNA expresses its appreciation to Martin Foley, State Member for Albert Park, for his continued support to print The Beacon.

Link to a pdf file for The Beacon June 2010

Social Event - Dinner 7 July 2010

Next Social Event

The next social event will be a two course dinner at

C’est Bon French Restaurant
396 Bay Street

on Wednesday 7 July at 7:30 pm.

Make a diary note to visit with your neighbours. More to follow soon!

2010 Annual General Meeting

2010 BCNA Annual General Meeting

Please note in your diaries:

Thursday 14th October 2010
6:30pm Refreshments: 7:00pm AGM
Sandridge Community Centre and Trugo Club
1 Tucker Ave, Port Melbourne

The AGM is an outstanding opportunity to speak to community leaders about issues of interest to you.

BCNA Port Environs Submission

BCNA Port Environs Submission
Please find attached the BCNA submission on the Discussion Paper from the Ports and Environs Advisory Committee, and the Discussion Paper issued.

The focus of our BCNA submission is for the Port of Melbourne and adjoining residential communities of Port Melbourne.

Click on the links below to read that documents. Click on the return arrow - top left corner to return to BCNA site from the document.

Covering Letter

Submission

Port Environs Discussion Paper (large pdf 200 + pages)

BCNA Committee View on the Naming of Princes Pier

BCNA Committee View on the Naming of Princes Pier

Dear BCNA Members

At the Executive Committee meeting last Tuesday, it was decided to respond to a Herald Sun journalist’s request for comment on proposals to rename Princes Pier to Alan Whittaker Pier as follows:

Mr Neil Wilson
Herald Sun

Further to your request for a view on proposed renaming of Princes Pier, the Executive Committee of Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association (BCNA) discussed the issue last night at a scheduled meeting. The following points summarise the view of the members of the Committee.

• The Beacon Cove community is a group of approximately 1200 families and fronts on to the Bay around Station Pier and Princes Pier.

• There is a lot of history associated with the Pier over the period it has been called Princes Pier. The three major associations that come to mind are:

o Point of embarkation of troops to recent wars and the

subsequent return. Berthing of naval vessels in time of hostilities. (Military)

o Point of disembarkation of migrants initially from Europe after the end of WW II and for decades to follow. (Migration)

o Use as part of the working port of Port Melbourne. (Industrial)

• In general the Committee sees that links to history, like naming, should be retained unless there are overwhelming reasons for change. The name of a location is integral to the history. (BCNA has applied this approach when it argued persuasively to the Victorian Electoral Commission at its reform process a couple of years ago not to remove the old Ward name of Sandridge and replace it with Port Ward in the City of Port Phillip).

• Even if a change was to be contemplated the change should not be based on a narrow focus (even if the historical name could be argued as narrow or inappropriate by some). Consideration of the broad context of the historical significance and of all associations of the site would be necessary to select a new name to replace a name that has existed for many decades.

• In summary, the BCNA Committee

o Does not see a compelling argument at this time, nor a public groundswell,to change the name of Princes Pier
o Could support any call for a wider community debate on the subject
o Could agree with provision of a plaque at the Gatehouse on Princes Pier to commemorate an appropriate individual or event

I hope this makes the Committee members’ view clear to you in preparing your article for the Herald Sun.

As we didn’t have time to conduct a survey of members, the Committee decided that it would answer on its own behalf.

Regards

Trevor Nink
Secretary BCNA

Trees and Landscape Update

Trees and Landscape Update

Dear BCNA Members

After many discussions and compromises to protect the landscape at Beacon Cove from being reduced to a stark new estate approach, your committee has reached the following agreement with the Council to make a gradual, phased removal of the Hills Fig trees in The Crescent, Swallow Street and Park Square.

• Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis anacardoiodes was decided as the replacement species for The Crescent from the resident votes received by Council.

• Kanooka Gums Tristaniopsis laurina was decided as the replacement species for Park Square and Swallow Street as they form the existing replacement species within those streets.

• The upgrade program will be conducted in 2 phases with phase 1 tree removal and replacements commencing in July 2010. The second phase of works will only be conducted once the majority of newly planted trees reach a height of 4.5 meters. The height will be checked firstly in 2012 to determine what growth has been achieved. The works have been listed to be completed within 5 years.

• The phasing of works will be noted within the Greening Port Phillip Street Tree Planting Guide 2010 so that it is captured as part of the 5 year implementation plan so that they can remain a priority.

• The upgrade program will follow the set design sent to residents for comment.

• Trees will be maintained for a 24 month period to assist with successful tree establishment. If trees die they will be replaced by the contractor at no cost to council.

• Residents will be encouraged to “Adopt a Tree’ and will receive a free bucket to assist with tree watering.

• Ensure all trees that are planted and removed due to vandalism are replanted. Other methods of preventing vandalism will be explored as required.

• Should a requestor ask that their nature strip fig tree be removed prior to their phase they will be firstly asked to await the timing of replacement in line with the program. If their case becomes insurance related to damage to a property, council will undertake the removal of the tree and replace with the new agrees species. The applicant will need to have provided evidence of damages caused from the tree, before trees are considered for removal.

• Damaged footpaths will be replaced where trees have been removed in phase one. The remaining footpath damages will await the second phase of removal before reconstruction works are conducted to footpaths. Should there be unacceptable trip hazards an asphalt strip will be installed to remove the trip hazard.

• In May 2010 the Greening Port Phillip an Urban Forest Approach 2010 and Greening Port Phillip Planting Guide 2010 will be forwarded to BCNA for comments and feedback.

Regards

Trevor Nink
Secretary BCNA

Sandridge Beach Public Web Page and Online Survey

Sandridge Beach Public Toilet
City of Port Phillip Web Page

The CoPP have established a web page which includes an online survey. The web page will be updated throughout the project design to keep the residents informed on the progress of the project.

http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/Sandridge_public_toilet.htm


The survey does not take very long so please check out the web page and complete the survey to have you views considered.

City of Port Phillip St Kilda Triangle Decision - Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association & Port People Joint Statement 25 January 2010

Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association & Port People
Joint Statement 25 January 2010


City of Port Phillip St Kilda Triangle Decision

The City of Port Phillip’s decision to withdraw from the St Kilda Triangle contract on the basis of agreed compensation to the developer, CITA, is acknowledged as a reasonable outcome.

BCNA and PP welcome the certainty that the decision gives to the Community. We do have what we believe are legitimate concerns regarding the financial implications that the compensation may have on budget allocations for Port Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip overall.

The future development of the Triangle site is also of concern as the current elected council has to confront its stated opposition to the previous development proposal but now come up with a good alternative. To leave the area as it is in the longer term is not a reasonable position.

We stress the importance of getting a new proposal right, in order to deliver an outcome that has sound vision, is creditable and has benefit for the whole community and is not only the view of sectional interests.


E. Micallef President of Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association (BCNA)

A. Pappas President of Port People (PP)

Replacement of Hills Fig Trees in Beacon Cove

BCNA: Replacement of Hills Fig Trees in Beacon Cove

Letter to BCNA Members

Dear BCNA Members,

This note is to offer some guidance in responding to City letters last week on the replacement of Hills Fig trees in certain streets of Beacon Cove. All members are included in our note since the large number of tree changes will impact the overall urban landscape of the neighbourhood.

The City has decided that the actual and potential damage from tree roots necessitates the removal of the well established Hills Figs from Beacon Cove. The Committee attempt to consult with City officers on the alternative of managing the tree canopy and utilising root guards etc has been decided to be uneconomic and the City has taken the issue out of the hands of BCNA. What is left for residents is to influence the new species of trees and the process of when and how gradual the removal and replacement takes place.

The streets affected and subject to current letters are as follows:

Swallow Street
The Crescent
Park Square ( tree changes here will be staged over time, not as indicated in letters that all will be cut out immediately)

In Beacon Vista the trees around the small central park will be removed and replaced shortly (with Manchurian Pears) and all at one time as a result of a petition on damage from directly affected residents.

Your Committee is making the comments below for you to consider in your response to the identification of your preference from the proposed replacement species. You are encouraged to record Comments on the back of your Voting Slip.

• Beacon Cove was developed as a neighbourhood of planned and consistent urban design. This also flowed into the landscape. The survey of residents for the Planning Scheme Amendment overwhelmingly required existing covenants to be translated into planning rules for CoPP to maintain the original design concepts.

• The Hills Fig trees are probably the dominant species in the development and when replaced it would maintain the linkage if there was only one or at a maximum two species introduced into the streetscape. For example you could suggest to the City that you would like the tree selection for your street to be the same as for the other streets.

• If all of the trees identified for removal are taken out at one time there will be a stark reduction in shade and greenery in the community. Staging will help soften the blow. The proposed two year staging by the City appears to be too quick and an alternative can be suggested by all affected residents.

• One alternative is to remove 1 in 3 trees in year 1. Then dependent on how the replacement trees grow (they are initially only 1.5 metres tall), the second stage for the next 1 in 3 trees could take place when the initial replacements have reached a height of say 4.5 metres. Then the third stage could take place when the second replacements have reached the 4.5 metres height.

• If you have a strong desire to keep your Hills Fig tree for a longer time then you should identify this in your answer to the City and they may allocate you to a later stage and not the initial one.

• Any and all replacement trees will need City commitment to maintenance on a regular basis as these trees are on nature strips and common land. If this is done we should not be faced with the situation we are facing now.


We would appreciate any feedback of the responses provided by you to the City.

Sincerely


Eddie Micallef President 0413 127 422

Trevor Nink Secretary 0404 084 283