Impact of Development at 1-5 Waterfront Place on Port Melbourne Railway Station

A member recently alerted us to an advertisement concerning the railway station and the development at 1-5 Waterfront Place.

A small portion of land covered by the heritage overlay for the railway station will be affected by the development. It is explained on the Heritage Victoria website. Scroll down to find Port Melbourne Railway Station, 101 Beach Street Port Melbourne (VHR H0983).

The developer of 1-5 Waterfront Place has commissioned a Heritage Impact Assessment.

The advertisement invites submissions on the application up until 25th November. Members are encouraged to read the heritage impact assessment. The BCNA does not plan to make a submission, however if you have concerns, consider a private submission. Instructions on how to prepare and lodge a submission are provided on the Heritage Victoria website.

Volunteer Opportunity – Social Media Coordinator & Monitor

The Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association (BCNA) is looking for a community-minded volunteer to help us create a presence in social media for younger demographics. While we  have a well-established website, we are now keen to share local news, updates and community issues to different demographics via social media - reaching residents of Beacon Cove and surrounding areas, as well as local councils, government, and community partners.

If you have experience setting up and running social media programmes and would like to help strengthen local connection and communication, we’d love to hear from you.

French Frigate at Station Pier - Tuesday 11 Nov

Ports Victoria has confirmed that the French frigate Vendemiaire will be at Station Pier from the 10th to the 14th of November.

The visit of the ship is explained in a press release from the French Embassy.

The ship will be open to the public from 8am - 1pm on Tuesday, 11 November. Some form of ID is required. Closed shoes recommended - no high heels.

 

The Vendemiaire in 2013 - Source: Wikipedia

Click/tap here for more information about the Vendémiaire.

Update on 103 Beach Street (Formerly the Foodstore Site)

Over the past few months, the BCNA has attempted to contact Luxcon, the developer, to hear about progress. We have been unsuccessful. We know that there are 19 units in the building, and it has underground parking for 42 cars. We understand that around 6 units remain unsold.

The BCNA advocated for part of the ground floor area to be used as mini supermarket. It is shown as ‘retail’ on the endorsed plans. Unfortunately, a supermarket may not be provided. We understand the area may be used for a gym and fitness centre.

To date the City of Port Phillip has not received an application to change the use of the ground floor. Any change of use would be contrary to the endorsed plans and would require an amendment application to make this change.

BCNA Dinner

The final BCNA dinner for the year will be held on Thursday 27th November. Members have been sent details but all local residents are welcome. It’s a great opportunity to socialise with other like-minded persons in a local environment.

If you are not a member of BCNA and would like to attend please contact the Treasurer, Graham Kemp. We can quickly and easily arrange to welcome you.

Port Melbourne Highlights - Guided Walk

On Sunday 14 December, Janet Bolitho, former Mayor of the City of Port Phillip, will be guiding another walk through Port Melbourne and Beacon Cove.  This one is entitled "Walks in Port- the Highlights Tour" and will involve Janet taking you through her favorite places and experiences from twenty years of leading Port Melbourne walks.

The walk will run from 2-4pm.  To book (on or after 14 November), click/tap here.

Our Newsletter is Out

Volunteers are now delivering the latest newsletter to residences. This issue includes news on:

• 1-5 Waterfront Place 
• Fishermans Bend development
• The Barak Beacon public housing site in Port Melbourne
• Acoustic camera trial to detect hoon driving
• Report hoon driving and related noise.
• Ports Victoria’s Cruise Shipping Strategy
• BCNA residents’ dinners
• Joining the BCNA

The BCNA thanks Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, for arranging printing and to Kosdown Press for folding the newsletter.

Click/tap here for an electronic version of the newsletter.

Update on Narrarrang Primary School

This school is being built in Fishermans Bend. The address is 2 Smith Street, which is near the corner of 299 Williamstown Road and Smith Street. It will open in the first quarter of 2026. 

Click/tap here for details about the school as well as recent photos of the construction stage.

Release of Cruise Shipping Strategy

At this year’s AGM, Nina Taylor MP, Member for Albert Park, announced that the Victorian Government’s cruise shipping industry strategy would be released by the end of the year. 

The BCNA met consultants assisting Ports Victoria with the development of the strategy last December. We were told that discussion paper would be released around March 2025 before the strategy was finalised. The discussion paper has not been released.

The BCNA continues to believe that a discussion paper is a vital step in engaging stakeholders. In this case the significant parties include nearby residents to Station Pier, local businesses and schools, the cruise tourism sector, the City of Port Phillip, the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network, Yarra Trams, the Department of Home Affairs, and Ports Victoria itself. Transparent consultation enables stakeholders to understand and contribute meaningfully to proposed plans, often leading to more robust and widely supported outcomes.

The BCNA has written to Nina Taylor MP, asking her to support the release of a discussion paper before the strategy is finalised.

Around the Bay Bike Ride - This Sunday

Sorry for the late notice but we have only just found out about this!

The Around the Bay bike ride is on this Sunday, 26th October. The route includes Todd Road, The Boulevard, onto Beach Street, then onto Beaconsfield Parade. These three roads will be partly closed from 7:45am to 12:30pm. Click/tap here for details of road closures.