Renewal Reminder

A gentle reminder to those members whose membership has expired or is about to expire on the 30th June 2023. Please renew your membership. If you've lost your renewal notice, click here for a membership form. Payment can be made by EFT. 

Vale Save Port Melbourne Gateway (savePMG)

In December 2022 members of savePMG decided to wind up the affairs of the organisation.

savePMG was established in 2013 to oppose efforts by Council to replace community hub buildings at 1 to-7 Waterfront Place, primarily with residential development that would overshadow the Waterfront Place foreshore for many of the colder months of the year. More details about the work of savePMG are shown here.

With the sale of the sites at 1 and 7 Waterfront Place in 2007, the new owner sought approval to redevelop the site. In October 2022, VCAT approved a 10-storey design that would overshadow a significant part of the foreshore at the winter solstice.

The BCNA thanks savePMG for their work to defend the original vision of the Beacon Cove planned estate. We also thank them for the funds that they have passed to BCNA.

Auditor Needed

The BCNA is looking for an appropriately qualified auditor/accountant (ACA or CPA) to audit its financial records for the year ending 30th June. This is an honorary position, not onerous or time consuming. If you can help it would be appreciated. Please contact our Treasurer, Graham Kemp by email (click here) for further details.

BCNA Meeting with Local Police

BCNA representatives attended a community forum organised by the Victoria Police's Port Phillip Local Area Commander last Tuesday to discuss policing issues in the area. Such meetings are being held around the state with sponsorship by the Chief Commissioner.

The main topics were drugs, youth offending, road policing and family violence. Crime statistics are collected and reported by the Crime Statistics Agency. The top offences in the Port Phillip area were stealing from motor vehicles and property crime. Sadly, 5 road-related deaths occurred.

E-scooter safety and hooning, two priority issues for BCNA, were discussed. Police report that they are enforcing road laws regarding laws regarding E-scooter use (see our previous news item here). The Principal of Port Melbourne Secondary College, Anne Stout, spoke about speeding and dangerous driving on Plummer Street. Police will be targeting this. Police report that the mobile CCTV unit, purchased by the City of Port Phillip at the urging of BCNA, has proved valuable.

Police continue to emphasise the reporting of incidents as this helps them to plan and target police resources. Here’s a quick summary of how to report.

Triple Zero - 000 - Call 000 immediately if the incident is life-threatening, needs ommediate police attendance, a crime is happening now, or an offender is (or may be) still in the area.

Police Assistance Line - 131 444 - To report non-urgent crimes and events.

Crime Stoppers - 1800 333 000 - To report crime information confidentially

Acoustic Cameras

The BCNA has been advocating for governments to trial the use of acoustic cameras as they appear to be a cost-effective way of enforcing vehicle noise standards. They are increasingly used overseas. See our previous item on this here.

BCNA representatives have discussed the use of acoustic cameras with senior police in the Port Phillip police area who have advocated for a trial within government. They have also advised that vehicle noise falls within the responsibility of the EPA. We understand that there is growing interest and support for this technology.

E-scooter Update

The BCNA receives regular notice of concern from members about the use of e-scooters, in particular, the use and placing of them on footpaths. Our recent newsletter addresses this issue and the recent change of state laws regarding the use of e-scooters.

Recently the City of Port Phillip Council received a petition from over one thousand residents that outlined concerns on this issue. Notice of this agenda item can be found here. Council considered this issue at its meeting on 3 May and passed a motion endorsing the council officer recommendations and adding a final point as follows:

… Council uses local law Clause 49 – ‘interfering with council assets’ to control obstructions and our impounding process allows Council to remove dangerous items quickly, for example bikes and signage chained to our assets blocking the street, and has an agreement with the operators of shared e-scooters and shared e-bikes for removal where they are obstructing the footpaths or in no parking zones, and Council can impound these if no action is taken.

Station Pier Maintenance

Ports Victoria have advised us that they will be starting maintenance works at Station Pier later this month.  The annual pile rehabilitation program as well as routine works will be undertaken, including repainting the Gate House.

Works will be carried out from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 7am and 5pm. They expect the program to be completed by late October.

109 Tram - Power Supply Upgrade

The Department of Transport and Planning is planning to increase the power supply on Route 109. Upgrading the tram power supply will lead to smoother rides and reduce sudden stops. 

A tram substation will be built in the rail reserve near the tram line and Bridge Street. The Department wants to design and develop the substation in a way that:

• fits with the character of the local area
• uses landscaping, where possible, to integrate the facility in its setting.
• minimises environmental impacts.
• provides broader community benefits, where possible
• minimises construction impacts to local businesses, residents, public transport users and commuters.

More information can be obtained here.  Feedback can be provided on the proposed works at this site.

Our Newsletter is Out

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

• Hoon driving and related noise
• Foodstore redevelopment at 103 Beach Street
• The Barak Beacon public housing site
• Council news affecting Beacon Cove: Dogs off leash in public spaces, and new Local Laws 2023 
• E-scooters
• BCNA’s residents’ dinners
• Joining the BCNA

BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing and Kosdown Press, Port Melbourne for folding the newsletter.

The newsletter can be accessed here.

Aircraft Noise

The BCNA periodically receives queries about the frequency of helicopters and other aircraft in our skies. Of course, living in a major city carries some unfortunate disadvantages, this being one of them, and members may be aware that the northern part of Port Melbourne falls under a flight path for helicopters that are moving to and from the city.

If you are concerned about aircraft noise and intrusion, you will find more detail on the web site for Airservices Australia (AA), which manages airspace and flight paths. AA has recently developed a new national Community Engagement Standard and is seeking input from communities on this. This is an opportunity for you to influence how Airservices Australia will engage on all future flight path and airspace changes. You can read the Standard and provide feedback direct to Airservices Australia at the this link.