BCNA Submission on the Funding of Infrastructure in Fishermans Bend

Since our earlier item about this, the BCNA decided to comment on three items in the draft consultation plan released by the Victorian Government. The BCNA’s comments covered:

• The importance of the Victorian Government honouring announced commitments, such as the provision of tram services, if development is to proceed.
• The Victorian Government should underwrite the fund (holding development contribution levies) so that infrastructure can be provided in a timely way.
• Some establishment costs, such as land for public transport and flood and drainage work, should be funded by the Victorian Government rather than through development contribution levies.

Click here to access the BCNA submission.

The BCNA meets regularly with Nina Taylor, the State Member of Parliament for Albert Park, to discuss community concerns. We will be discussing BCNA’s the three concerns (see above) at our next meeting with her.

BCNA Dinner 21 March

The first BCNA dinner for 2024 is being held on the Thursday 21 March. Members have already been sent details.

If you would like to attend, please contact the Treasurer to discuss membership and dinner details. 

Update on Barak Beacon Housing Site

Over the past few weeks’ residents near the site at Barak Road, Port Melbourne should have received a leaflet explaining progress. Homes Victoria is planning 408 new homes (from one to four bedrooms) across four buildings that will be between 2 and 11 storeys high (click here for details).

Two community drop-in sessions have been arranged. The first is on Tuesday 20th February, from 4-7pm. The second is on Saturday 24th February, from 1-4pm. Both sessions are being held at the Liardet Community Centre (Main Hall), 154 Liardet Street, Port Melbourne. This is an opportunity to hear about the proposed plans and to have your questions answered.

Higher Rates? Funding of Infrastructure in Fishermans Bend

In December 2023, the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) considered the Victorian Government’s draft funding plan. It sets out how development contributions will be paid by residential and non-residential ratepayers in the Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area (FBURA). This area comprises the precincts of Wirraway, Sandridge Montague, Lorimer shown on page 8 of the Framework. Funds raised from this area will be used to fund infrastructure such as open space, community facilities, and roads.

The CoPP has developed a preliminary submission. In their report, CoPP officers have expressed concern that the capital requirements, particularly for local infrastructure, appear to have been underestimated. The CoPP agreed to submit a more detailed submission once details have been clarified with the Victorian Government.

The final, agreed, Development Contribution Plan will influence rates for the rest of the City of Port Phillip for years to come. For this reason, the BCNA considers it to be a very important task. The Mayor, Councillor Cunsolo is encouraging submissions on the draft plan.

A meeting for residents has not been arranged. However, a business and industry briefing has been organised for Tuesday 6th February at the Dusty Fox Café, Woolworths Fishermans Bend, 481 Plummer Street, Port Melbourne from 4.30 to 5.30pm and residents can attend. Registration is necessary (click here to register).  

Submissions need to be made by 23 February. The BCNA is reviewing the draft and will consider a submission.

App to Report Community Issues

Snap Send Solve is a free app for mobile phones which makes it easy to notify the right people about community issues that need attention. Since its creation in 2010 it has become a popular and effective way to contact Councils and other authorities.

The BCNA encourages members to report community issues, such a graffiti, dumped rubbish and abandoned shopping trolleys. The app is a simple and efficient way to do this. Details can be found here.

Council Purchases Site at 509 Williamstown Road

Since our earlier post, the City of Port Phillip has announced that they have purchased the site. 

The area at 509 Williamstown Road had been earmarked for open space as part of the Fishermans Bend Framework released by the Victorian Government in 2018. The site is adjacent to North Port Oval and is currently occupied by Australia Post’s Port Melbourne Business Centre. The Business Centre will relocate nearby.

The BCNA welcomes the City of Port Phillip’s decision to purchase the site as it ensures that the area is used in ways consistent with the Fishermans Bend Framework.

A decision on exactly how to the site will be informed by community consultation. Feedback will be sought from residents and stakeholders including local sporting groups. More information can be found here.

Home Invasions and Security

From time to time, we hear about burglaries in the Beacon Cove area.

Two recent incidents involved thieves entering homes while the residents were asleep. In the first incident, the garage door was raised, and the intruders entered the house as the internal door to the garage was not locked. Car keys were taken, and the car stolen. The second incident involved the security door and front door being forced, keys being taken, and the car unlocked on the street. Other recent incidents have involved thefts from parked cars.

The BCNA recommends that residents take action to minimise the possibility of being a victim. Many residents have set up ‘informal’ security networks with neighbours. You can alert each other if there is suspicious activity and help in other ways by collecting mail and returning bins while you are away. The BCNA encourages this. Take time to get to know your neighbours to see if this might be possible.

Victoria Police has easy to read advice here. If your home has been broken into police advise that you do not confront the thief. Get out or find a safe place. Do not touch anything. Call your insurance company. The burglary should be reported. For emergencies: report a crime in progress, or for immediate police attendance, call Triple Zero (000). For non-emergencies: call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Blessing of the Waters - Princes Pier - This Sunday - 8 Jan

Sorry for the late notice of this - it's not usually well publicised and we only realised it was on this weekend when we saw some preparations taking place today.

The Blessing of the Waters is a Greek Orthodox ceremony that takes place at Port Melbourne each year in January. It is held on Princes Pier which was where many immigrants first stepped on Australian soil.

The event usually involves the throwing of the Holy Cross Greek around 1pm followed by Greek music and dancing for most of the afternoon. Greek food is usually available from some temporary food stalls on the pier. Representatives from local and state politics are also usually present.

Resilient Lady at Station Pier

Community concern was received about the amount of noise emanating from the Virgin cruise ship at Station Pier on Sunday evening 10 December. The BCNA has raised the noise concerns with Ports Victoria.

The BCNA has been informed this was due to an evening function to mark the launch and first Melbourne-based cruise of the new Virgin ship, the Resilient Lady. The ship has now left Station Pier on a cruise to Hobart and will return to Melbourne on 16 December.

Whilst cruise ships are mostly welcomed by the community, we do receive occasional complaints about their associated logistics, notably noise and the ensuing congestion from arriving or departing passengers. We have recently received a letter from the Department of Transport in which they state that Yarra Trams has committed to place additional services during the weekends on Route 109, when cruise ships are scheduled to arrive at Beacon Cove.

Complaints or queries for cruise ships are best addressed to Ports Victoria who are responsible for Station Pier and collect relevant fees from the cruise lines. They can be reached by emailing cruise@ports.vic.gov.au.

New Air Quality Monitoring Program at Station Pier

The BCNA has been briefed by Ports Victoria on an air quality monitoring program that has been started at Station Pier this month.  Australian certified monitoring equipment has been set up beside the Gatehouse.

It will monitor for nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate emissions. The monitoring results will give a better understanding of the local air quality around Station Pier. The period will include cruise ship seasons, the time between cruise seasons as well as seasonal weather variations. Ports Victoria plan to share the results with the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) and the local community via monthly reports with the first report expected late January 2024. There is also a plan to develop an online dashboard that will enable real-time viewing of air quality at Station Pier.

BCNA welcomes the Ports Victoria project as air quality has been a concern to residents near Station Pier for a long time. For more details, click here.