Agreement Reached on 103 Beach Street (Foodstore site)

Since our earlier update, agreement was reached between the developer, City of Port Phillip (Council) and other parties at a VCAT compulsory conference last week.

The development has been approved without the sixth level (a roof terrace), and with levels 3 and 4 shifted east by 0.5m and no western terrace on level 3.

The entrances to the supermarket and to the apartments remain unchanged. That is, the entrance to the supermarket will be from the north and to the apartments from the south. Concerns about the safety of cyclists and pedestrians on the eastern side will be resolved separately between Council and the developer.

The BCNA has been urging that Yarra Trams undertakes tram track duplication work at the same time as the build at 103 Beach Street. This will minimise the disruption to traffic and residents. This is not yet agreed. The BCNA will be advocating that this occurs with the Hon. Nina Taylor, MP, Yarra Trams, and the City of Port Phillip.

The development will comprise twenty-two apartments and a supermarket on the ground floor. The developer has stated that the basement will only have one level rather than two. The electricity substation will be relocated from the laneway to the northern side. The developer plans to move pile driving equipment onto the site this month with work starting in mid-January. Soil removal and piling will take eight weeks, and the build is expected to take 13 months with less than four months of traffic disruptions. An image of the proposed building is shown below.

E-scooter Trial Extended

At its meeting on 8th December, the City of Port Phillip (Council) agreed to extend participation in a 12-month trial by the Victorian Government. The trial was due to finish on 1 February 2023. It will now finish when the Victorian Government has completed an evaluation and there is clarity on the recommended regulatory framework.

The purpose of the trial is to inform future regulatory frameworks that meet transport and safety objectives and ensure clarity for all stakeholders around the use of e-scooters in Victoria.

There are restrictions on the use of E-scooters as explained earlier. The BCNA is encouraging feedback to the secretary@beaconcove.org.au which which will be passed onto Council as part of the trial. Council officers report that footpath riding, riding without a helmet and poor parking are among the most common issues raised by the community.

Our Newsletter is Out

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

• Hoon driving and related noise
• Foodstore redevelopment at 103 Beach Street
• Council news affecting Beacon Cove
• E-scooters
• Traffic congestion in Fishermans Bend
• BCNA’s Annual General Meeting

I'f you'd like an electronic version, you can download it here.

Pump Track Being Considered in Port Melbourne

The City of Port Phillip (council) is considering providing a pump track (an asphalt circular track with bumps and jumps) for bike riders and lovers of wheeled sports in Port Melbourne.

Council is encouraging feedback about the suitability of a pump track at RF Julier Reserve. A link to the project webpage and online survey can be found here.

Council Officers will be on-site at RF Julier Reserve between 4-6pm on Wednesday 7th December and feedback is being received until Sunday 18th December.

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.

Annual Port Melbourne Artisan Christmas Market - Saturday 3 December

The annual Port Melbourne Artisan Christmas market will be held this year in Bay Street from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 3 December.

This free community event is run by Port Melbourne Business Association (PMBA). It is supported by local community groups, businesses, Rotary, and the City of Port Phillip.

It is expected that there will be around 150 different and unique artisan offerings. It will feature a range of handmade, locally produced gifts, art pieces, designs, jewellery and more.

Offering something for everyone, Port’s Artisan Christmas Market is the perfect one stop shop for a range of unique Christmas presents. More information can be found here.

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.

Reminder - BCNA Dinner - Next Thursday

A reminder to everyone that our end of year Christmas social event for 2022 will be held on:

Thursday 24th  November (that's next Thursday)

at

Pier 35

263-329 Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne

6.30 pm for 7 pm

For further details click here, and to book, email Mary Barry at mary.barry@beaconcove.org.au.

103 Beach Street (Foodstore site) Update

The developer has decided to appeal the City of Port Phillip’s approval granted on 28 July 2022. Details were provided earlier.

The developer is contesting many of the conditions Council attached to the planning approval and suggesting amendments to others. The conditions being contested include:

• A requirement for design methods to slow the speed of cyclists.
• The setbacks of a minimum of five metres from the eastern and western boundaries for levels 3 and 4.
• The requirement to provide a second entrance to the supermarket on the southern side.
• The deletion of the sixth level (a roof terrace) and lowering of the height of the building.
• The requirement that the entrance to the apartments be from Beach Street.
• Design of basement ramp in relation to on-site waste collection.

The BCNA is keen to see the site redeveloped and considers it vital that it includes a supermarket on the ground floor. Our concerns have been about height and overshadowing of the public realm including the shared cycling paths and Bay Trail to the south; that there was no entrance to the supermarket from the south side; and the importance of sufficient car parking in the northern car park. The BCNA has been an objector about these issues.

VCAT has scheduled a compulsory conference for 7 December 2022 and a Hearing in March 2023.

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.