Prince Pier - Have Your Say

Princes Pier Have Your Say
Responses required from our members by 31 July 2010
Thank you to those members who have submitted their views.
Please take some time to respond to ensure that your views and ideas are part of the community consultation process.
Click here for the BCNA request

BCNA Input to Princes Pier

Reminder to Members
BCNA Member Input to Princes Pier redevelopment

Seeking Your Input On Princes Pier

Click on Princes Pier to read the request due by 31 July

C'est Bon

C’est Bon

A wonderful evening was had by over 60 members at C’est Bon in Bay Street Port Melbourne on Wednesday. The meals of Duck, Chicken, Fish or Steak kept the winter chills away and which were finished with lovely desserts.

Thank you to Trish, the chefs, and wait staff for ensuring we enjoyed the evening.

President Eddie welcomed everyone, gave an update on the association and opened the floor to questions.

BCNA Membership Consultation on Princes Pier - Feedback request by 31 July

BCNA Membership Consultation on Princes Pier

As you will be aware the MPV Project on the infrastructure works of Princes Pier continues. An updated view on this is contained in the following eblog post which we recommend you read. It describes a view of Princes Pier and the Gatehouse at the completion of this project.

The City of Port Phillip is preparing a Port Melbourne Waterfront Urban Design Framework (UDF), and as part of that planning, the future use for Princes Pier is being considered. No funding has been presently identified for any further development than outlined in the previous update.

We would like to gather the ideas and concerns of our membership on:
• the historical commemoration of the pier, and
• community amenity use of the restored Princes Pier including the Gatehouse.

We would welcome input by email by no later than 31 July to FeedbackBCNA@gmail.com.

To aid the compilation of the ideas and concerns, we ask that you consider framing your response under the following question headings. However please do not allow this to restrict your response, if you would like to speak directly to a committee member please do so.

Question 1
What items or activities would you consider appropriate to represent the historical commemoration of activities or events - on Princes Pier or in the Gatehouse?

Question 2
What items or uses would you consider appropriate to provide community amenity from the MPV restoration of Princes Pier and the Gatehouse?

Question 3
For local residents what concerns should be considered in the activities or usage on Princes Pier or in the Gatehouse?

Question 4
Do you have any views on who the future controller of Princes Pier should be? If so, why?

Ideas to prompt Input

To prompt your responses we list a number of ideas and concepts noted over time to stimulate your thoughts. They are not the views of the committee, they are in no particular order, nor consider their viability or otherwise. You may wish to indicate any you are in favour of, or otherwise, or develop them further; or provide new input.
o Ferry Stop – between Williamstown, City, St Kilda, Port Melbourne
o Locate historic society in the gatehouse
o Ground Floor information
o Public Toilet access
o Public activation – BBQ, swimming/wading pools, sand beach, chess board – large scale, seating
o Provide for an old ship museum
o Boat moorings
o Provide a stage for concerts or movies – some sort of opening and closing screen
o Introduce water rail stop
o Activate Princes Pier by reintroducing port related activities - such as relocating the Spirit of Tasmania ferry services
o Provide better access between the two piers to accommodate the above and improve connectivity between the Station and Princes Piers
o Provide full disable access between the piers and further west , and to car parking – including wheelchair, scooters, prams etc, so not to compete with bikes
o Provide a destination and ensure views are kept.... Gatehouse and beyond the gatehouse
o Restored gatehouse could be used for a museum, cafe, meetings rooms....restore to maintain flexibility of use
o Improve the sense of arrival, occasion for watercraft passengers, arrival, unloading with people movement
o Seating, Trees, planting, protection from weather
o Provide for viewing of shipping activity and appreciation of scale
o Long range telescopes
o Skateboard area
o Sculptures/plagues depicting the various historical contribution and activities on the pier since it was built through the decades
o Museum type display for history of the pier and gatehouse
o Access for fishing
o Extended narrow walkway past gatehouse – length of original pier – views and fishing
o How do we entice people to come to Princes Pier....seasonal coffee/ice cream trolley, display, link to Sandridge Beach....Surf Life Saving Victoria

Here are some Links to websites which you may be interested in:
(Click on the back arrow to return to the BCNA site).

 Major Projects Victoria
 City of Port Phillip – Port Melbourne Waterfront Urban Design Framework
 City of Port Phillip – Princes Pier
 Heritage Victoria - Enter Princes Pier in the search box
 BCNA Committee View on Renaming Princes Pier

Princes Pier Update - Urban Design Framework for Port Melbourne Waterfront

Princes Pier

City of Port Phillip
Urban Design Framework for Port Melbourne Waterfront
Community Reference Committee (CRC)

R Harrison from our BCNA committee is a community representative and two meetings have been held in March and early June 2010. City of Port Phillip (CoPP) advised that tenders have been called for the consultant for the Urban Design Framework for the Port Melbourne Waterfront (UDF), and an appointment will be made in June.

At the most recent meeting the CRC had a presentation by Major Projects Victoria on the work they are completing on the infrastructure of Princes Pier. A view of the works and status is outlined below.

Scope of Works

The overall MPV project which commenced in 2006/2007 was generally described to remove the deck and restore the inner 196 metres with a new decking and restore the gate house and return that section to the community. The remaining piles past the 196 metre length will be left and uncovered. This MPV project and funding is based around the infrastructure restoration. MPV have provided an overall schematic diagram showing this scope. Click on diagram to view the pdf file. Click on the back arrow to return to the BCNA site.

Deck 196 metre area

This concrete decked area will include an outer east side berth for a visiting tall ship, and a lowered landing on the west side for about 5 small water craft. Beach access will be provided at the North West corner via a ramp. Rail lines will remain set in the deck on the inner west side as a historical relief. A strengthened heavy vehicle path will start centrally and wind to the east side of the gatehouse for access; otherwise the deck will be suitable for pedestrian loading. Vehicle access will be restricted and controlled. The original gates will be reinstated.

Lighting of the deck area will be from 10 moderately high poles each with two flood lights. The lights will be selected to provide for down light and to avoid side glare.
Sewer, water and power services will run centrally under the deck to the gatehouse.

Gatehouse

The scope of works is expected to restore the external gatehouse in accordance with its historical heritage, and include the basic internal amenity restoration. This will be a separate contract and has not been finalised. Sewer, water and power services will run centrally under the deck to the gatehouse.

Concepts discussed for its internal restoration at this stage include area for a kitchen in the SE corner, toilets in SW corner, and a lift on the west side alongside toilets with the balance of the area to be left open. Upstairs is a series of small offices - they would be about 12 to 18 square metres in size.

MPV advised that the partitioning needed to remain as it was needed to support the roof. This was queried as it was felt that trussed beams could be employed for roof support and that a more open area would be more useful. The CRC sought copies of the structural plans to review the possibilities. Toilet facilities are to be provided upstairs. Heat exchange air conditioning utilizing the sea water will be employed.

Status of Works

The bulk of the deck removal is now complete. The pile repair contract for the 196m section is due for completion at the end of June. Life expectancy of the piles is 50 years, but maintenance and replacement of some piles could be required after 25 years. There are 6,000 piles in the whole pier and the piles beyond196m will be progressively removed as they become unsafe.

The new concrete deck contract has been let to Fitzgerald Constructions and is due for completion in 2011.

The Gate House will be a separate contract. Details are still to be finalised.

Historical Commemoration, and the Community Amenity and Use of Princes Pier

Other attractions, memorabilia, plantings, monuments, buildings, screens etc, would seem to be the responsibility of others outside of MPV. At this time it is unclear on who the future controller of Princes Pier may be, and under what arrangements this may occur.

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)