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

PoMC Boat Tours

The Port of Melbourne Corporation Boat Tour on Saturday 20 February and Saturday 27 February 2010

Please follow the link to the PoMC website for full details.

Bookings Essential and spaces are limited

http://www.portofmelbourne.com/community/tours.asp

Next Social Event

Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association

Social Event

So what were you doing in the middle of the week anyway?
Come and share it with your neighbours and friends

When?
Meet after 7:00 pm on Wednesday 3 March 2010. Dinner starts at 7:30 pm.

Where?
Beacon Cove Pizza Restaurant at the railway platform at the terminus of the 109 Light Rail.

Why?
The dinner will allow us to socialise with neighbours and find out more about the current activities in our community.

Menu?
There are two courses, entree and main, with four choices in each course including vegetarian. It is much more than just pizza! Plus fruit and coffee/tea included to close.

Cost?
We have arranged a special and inexpensive $30 p.p. menu - please bring cash to simplify the billing task. Fully licensed cash bar.

How to Book?
Please RSVP by email or phone to Trevor Nink before Friday 26 February at tmnink@bigpond.net.au or 96818283. Space for 30 to 40 people - first to reply will be given priority.

The Beacon Newsletter December 2009

The Beacon Newsletter December 2009

The December 2009 Newsletter, The Beacon, is now available on the "Newsletter" link.

The Beacon
December 2009
Newsletter of Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association Inc (BCNA).
BCNA aims and aspirations include providing a forum for all residents of Beacon Cove and abutting neighbourhoods to discuss key local issues with a view to preserving and enhancing the quality of life within the area
Message from President and Committee
The President and Committee take this opportunity to wish the residents of this wonderful part of Melbourne a happy festive season and a prosperous and safe New Year.

1 – 11 Waterfront Place (gymnasium, tennis courts and ancillary buildings)
In anticipation of a planning application being lodged with State Government, Department of Planning and Community Development, for the redevelopment of 1 – 11 Waterfront Place, Council has recently adopted a set of Urban Design Guidelines that will be utilised in assessing any application lodged by the owners. As the land is not contained within the City of Port Phillip planning scheme, final determination will be made by State Government, nevertheless taking into account advice from The City and community input. At the time of this newsletter we are advised that no application has been lodged with State Government.
The residents of the area should be heartened by the Urban Design Guidelines as they represent a sensible approach to any new development on the site, covering such issues as massing, scale, height, layout, permeability, amenity, interfaces, access, parking, connectivity and architectural character. In particular a height restriction of five levels or RL21 metres has been adopted and a shadow line not to extend beyond the roadways abutting the site.
In adopting the guidelines Council has noted that they are not to be considered prescriptive, but will be used to guide Council in its deliberation of any application that comes before it for comment.
Your Committee is pleased to be advised by the owner’s representative that the application will be discussed with the Committee prior to being lodged with the State Government.
Full details of the urban design guidelines for Waterfront Place may be found on the City of Port Phillip website.
The Committee will keep you informed as soon as events break on this issue.


Beacon Cove Planning Scheme Amendment
Previous Newsletters have advised progress and timeframes in relation to the proposed amendment to the City of Port Phillip 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, 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.
Despite all of the statutory planning having been completed by Council consultants to a very high standard by mid 2009, administrative delays and priorities within Council have delayed public exhibition of the amendment until April 2010, some six months later than originally intended. At that time a public meeting will be called to brief all interested residents of the substance of the amendment and their rights to lodge any comment or objection they may wish. As matters currently stand it is unlikely that the amendment will come into force prior to the end of 2010. There are also funding matters that may further delay adoption of the amendment. Your Committee is presently involved with Council at the highest level with a view to accelerating the current program.
Tree Processes
The City of Port Phillip recently held forums on the status of trees and landscaping in the City and has established a Tree Policy Community Reference Group.
Previously BCNA reached agreement with CoPP resulting in attractive landscaping upgrades with tree additions and replacements around Beacon Cove early in 2009. The CoPP plan, the Beacon Cove Report January 2009, is largely complete. The major outstanding item to tackle is the fate of the Ficus (Hills Weeping Fig) trees. The January 2009 report left resolution of the opposing opinions on these trees to a later discussion
which was expected to be considered by the above
Tree Policy Community Reference Group.
However a petition was received over winter from Beacon Vista Park residents who were very concerned about the root damage to footpaths, infrastructure and buildings. At the 14 September Council meeting, CoPP presented a motion to remove all Ficus trees in Beacon Cove plus Clifford and Webb Streets. However input from residents and BCNA resulted in the Council adopting an amended motion to replace the Ficus trees only around Beacon Vista Park (BCNA acknowledges Ficus trees have been planted too close to footpaths around Beacon Vista Park), The future of Ficus trees in other areas will be subject to further consultation with directly affected residents and BCNA.

Handover of waterfront assets to City of Port Phillip
The timing of the final handover of the waterfront areas to Council for future care and maintenance is still far from certain. Despite considerable effort on the part of Council to finalise the outstanding maintenance matters to be completed by Mirvac/Major Projects, the process seems to drag on. Thus far the bike path and sea wall have been repaired and a sample light pole replacement has been undertaken, as a commencement of the repair of all light standards. Major Projects has recently engaged a landscape contractor to replant areas along the promenade and the new plants will be maintained by Major Projects until the total handover occurs. Four new rubbish bins are to be installed along the promenade early in the New Year.
As to the bigger picture of the final handover of all works within the waterfront area this has been complicated by technical planning issues relating to the restaurants around Waterfront Place. There is no doubt that Council is making every effort to bring this matter to a conclusion but it may well be the end of 2010 before the handover is completed.
Landscaping in Port Melbourne -and you can help with little effort!
BCNA wishes to acknowledge the CoPP response to BCNA proposals and the substantial improvement achieved in many public spaces around Port Melbourne. In particular, Garden City Reserve, Beacon Cove public parks and the light rail reserve. It is not uncommon to see Council staff tending these valuable community assets. However, some issues do fall through the cracks and we can all easily play a role in maintaining the quality of our surroundings. If you notice public areas that are not being maintained, including new trees which the Council will water with recycled water for the first 2 years after planting, please contact the council. You can email assist@portphillip.vic.gov.au, phone 9209 6777 or make an online request via:
https://eservices.portphillip.vic.gov.au/ePathway/Production/Web/CustomerService/CustomerServiceType.aspx
BCNA does have some concerns regarding the landscaping of Sandridge beach. Work done to date is satisfactory but there has been an absence of the next planned consultation and a delay to the work as initially advised to the community. BCNA will continue to follow this up with Council.
Next Social Event – put Wed 3 March in diary
Venue and details will be provided in the new year.

Memorial to Past President Michael Blyth OAM
A replacement bench seat and engraved plaque have been installed to commemorate the lasting contribution made by Michael Blyth to Beacon Cove and the neighbouring areas of Port Melbourne. You will find this memorial on the Promenade between Towers 3 and 4. Thanks to the Steve Scott of CoPP for co-ordination and to Major Projects Victoria for supply and installation.

Membership/BCNA Dues for 2009-2010
With such critical issues as the 1-11 Waterfront Place re-development, it is very important that our membership numbers are high to be able to represent your views forcefully. We ask that you join or renew membership at $10 per annum per family. Please send dues to the Treasurer, Dana Hlavacek at Private Box 61/103 Beach Street Port Melbourne with cheques payable to BCNA. The following details are needed:

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

BCNA Committee

President: Eddie Micallef 9645 1185
Vice President: Greg Mate 9681 7441
Secretary: Trevor Nink 9681 8283
Treasurer: Dana Hlavacek 9646 8850
Committee Members:
Bob Harrison 9645 2115
Alistair Watson 9646 1719
Glenda Beale 9676 2151
Ro Holmes 9646 1961


BCNA expresses its appreciation to Martin Foley MLA for continued support in printing The Beacon

New Cook Street Entry Ramp Eastbound on West Gate Freeway Opening Soon

New Cook Street Entry Ramp Eastbound on West Gate Freeway Opening Soon

A new entrance ramp will soon be opening at Cook Street in late November or early December.

Click on the top heading to see the mail box drop from the project team - the Works Alert advising on the imminent opening of the new Cook Street Entrance Eastbound onto the West Gate Freeway.

Details can be found on the M1 Upgrade website http://www.m1upgrade.com.au/

Cruise Shipping Schedule 2009-2010

Cruise Shipping

Click on the Main Heading Cruise Shipping Schedule 2009-2010 to access a pdf file for this season's schedule at Station Pier.

It is subject to change, and an up to date schedule can always be found on the Port of Melbourne Corporation Website at www.portofmelbourne.com/cruiseshipping/cruiseschedule.asp Please scroll down the page to see the current schedule for Victorian ports.