BCNA Budget Submissions to Council

Each year BCNA makes a submission to the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) for their consideration in developing the Council’s budget for the upcoming financial year.

In 2016/17 we were successful  in achieving:

• Bike trail lighting – eighty new public lighting poles and LED luminaries between Beach St and Boundary St, Port Melbourne have now been installed, making for increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Safety on the Promenade – the CoPP has completed a feasibility study on potential ramps along the Promenade between Station and Princes Piers. For cost reasons, there are no current plans to construct ramps. However, our request for handrails on the steps between the piers has been granted, and they will be installed by the end of the year. Whilst this is not a solution to separation of the paths, the handrails will improve safety for pedestrians.

For the 2017/18 budget we have sought:

• Graffiti removal – increased resources for preventative strategies and quick removal of areas affected by graffiti.
• Princes Street storm water drain – collaboration with the EPA to develop and install improved signage regarding poor water quality, particularly in the pond at the mouth of the drain. An upgrade of the drain in the longer term.
• 1-7 Waterfront Place – pending longer-term redevelopment of the site, action to ensure a clean up of the site.
• Waterfront Place/Station Pier toilet facility – resources to fund a street level accessible toilet in the Waterfront Place area.

Port Melbourne Community Carnival - Saturday 18 March

Port Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre will be holding its biggest event of the year - the Port Melbourne Community Carnival 2017 which will take place on Saturday 18th March from 12 to 4 pm, on Liardet St, between Lalor and Nott Sts.

The theme for this year is Port Melbourne Unmasked - Uncovering the Heart of Port Melbourne, which aims to explore and celebrate the essence of this resilient community. People who are coming to the carnival will have the opportunity to be involved in a series of drop-in style workshops. These are always highly popular with children and families. This year the main workshop will be creating masks using recycled materials. The masks will then be worn in the 'Port Melbourne Unmasked Parade', allowing the artwork and creators to be cheered by the crowd.

More details can be found at www.pmnc.org.au/index.php/activities/carnival.

Piers Festival - Sunday 9 April

The Piers Festival is back in 2017.  The 6th Piers Festival will be held on 9 April at Princes Pier.

The annual free Piers Festival features a vibrant mix of artists and cultures, iconic sounds, new collaborations, music, dance and activities for all ages with headline acts Joe Camilleri & the Black Sorrows, the Core-tet, Oi Dipnoi, the haBiBis, Mojo Juju & the Samoan Choir.

MC Anna GoGo will get you go-go-ing, and DJ PAZ will fill the sea breeze with carnival beats at this FREE festival for the whole family.

Enjoy the festive interactive atmosphere of the Landing, with displays, performances and activities curated by various active cultural groups from Victoria: Latin Stories Australia & Casa Cultura; the Ukrainian Association of Geelong; the African Australian Small Business Association; the Shepparton Sikhs Association; Moreland Turkish Association; and more.

Enjoy traditional beverage samples, Pysanka Easter egg decorating, turban tying, art and craft and musical performances including Ismail Metin from the Yunus Emre Centre with martial arts displays.

More details can be found at multiculturalarts.com.au/event/piers-festival-2017.

Port of Melbourne Boat Tour - Sunday 30 April

There’s no better way to see the Port of Melbourne than on one of the free Port of Melbourne Open Day boat tours. The last one for the season will be on Sunday 30 April.

For more information, go to www.portofmelbourne.com/community-and-education/visiting-the-port/boat-tours.

1-7 Waterfront Place – Plans Advertised

As some may know, plans for development of 1-7 Waterfront Place have been advertised on the City of Port Phillip’s (CoPP) website. The application is for a permit for “Construction of a 10-storey mixed use building over two basement levels containing 175 dwellings and two retail premises of 355 square metres and a reduction in car parking requirements”.

Details of the application including plans and detailed documents (including the developers responses to the Council’s initial objections) can be viewed on the CoPP website. Unfortunately the design of this part of the CoPP website means that we can’t provide a direct link to the relevant page. As a result you’ll need to take the following steps to access the information. Firstly go to this page and select “Let’s get started!”. Then select “Resident” then “Planning and building” then “Object to or Support a Planning Permit” then go to the bottom of the list, select “New Search”, and enter 989/2016 in the box under “Application Number” and then (finally!) click “Search”. I’m sorry I can’t make it any easier – that’s the easiest way I’ve found to get there.

The BCNA Committee would like to see the site developed and used for the benefit of the community. However, BCNA has concerns about the current plans. The plans do not conform to covenants varied by VCAT in its decision of 15 January 2015. This means that the proposed building is bulkier than it should be and reduces sunlight on the site and beyond. The plans do not conform to Design and Development Overlay 23 of the Port Phillip Planning Scheme which means the building will be bulkier at higher levels and this will influence sunlight and shadows on the site and on the bike path, footpath and foreshore. The proposal does not minimise overshadowing at the winter solstice as required by Design and Development Overlay 23.

We encourage residents to look at the plans and respond directly to Council. Please also let us know your views at feedback@beaconcove.org.au so that we can better represent our members in discussions with Council. Council has indicated that they will not decide on the application before 6 March 2017.

Clean Up Australia Day Beach Patrol - Sunday 5 March

This month's 3207 Beach Patrol regular monthly clean coincides with Clean Up Australia Day.  Both new and long-time members are welcome come along.

When:  9-10am, Sunday 5 March
Where:  Port Melbourne Beach - meet opposite The London/Mr Lawrence with coffee afterwards at Cafe Grumento.

If you want something to print and put up on your fridge to remind you, you can download a flyer here.

Meeting with Ward Councillors next Monday (6 March)

Port People (www.portpeople.org.au) have arranged a meeting with our Gateway Ward Councillors – Bernadene Voss, Ogy Simic, and Marcus Pearl – next Monday evening.

They have been in place for just over three months now, and it will be a good time to hear how they’re finding the new three Ward, nine Councillor system.

Date: Monday 6 March
Time: 7:30pm
Venue:  Sandridge Community Centre and Trugo Club, 1 Tucker Avenue, Garden City

Free Town Hall History Tours

More free town hall history tours will be run by ex-councillor and Waterfront Welcomer Russel Griffiths. You can discover Port Melbourne Town Hall’s history, hear personal stories from a former councillor, see inside the Council Chambers and see where the historic plaques are housed.

They start at the Port Melbourne Town Hall at 333 Bay Street Port Melbourne.

Tours will be held at 10am and 11am on the following days:
   Tuesday 7 February
   Wednesday 22 February

Tours are free but bookings are appreciated at ship@ischs.org.au or 0459 988 353.

Community Film Night - Thursday 16 February

BeachPatrol Australia and Inner South Community health are hosting a community film night to raise awareness about the local marine environment and the detrimental impact of plastic litter pollution. The night includes a Q&A with the producers of the films.

It will at 6:30-8:30pm on Thursday 16 February at Port Melbourne Town Hall.

More details can be found on this flyer.

Council Plan - Community Survey

In addition to the workshops regarding their 2017 Council Plan, the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) has now added a community survey.  This survey can be accessed here.

The survey closes on Sunday 26 February.

More details about the plan and associated consultation can be found at http://haveyoursay.portphillip.vic.gov.au/CouncilPlan2017.