Update on 1-7 Waterfront Place

The BCNA recently met representatives from the developer to hear about progress. The GFM group is managing overall development. CASA, a subsidiary, is responsible for all work on the site.

VCAT agreed to revised plans last April. Since then, CASA has revised the plans to implement agreed changes. There will now be fewer three-bedroom apartments and more two-bedroom apartments. This change means the number of apartments increases from 84 to 87. Changes are also planned to the two basement-level car parks to allow better use and to increase car parks by 3-4. CASA expected to submit revised plans to the City of Port Phillip last week. Work is expected to commence on the site in December 2025.

The GFM group has leased three levels of 92 Beach Street (the old London Hotel site) for their work at 1-7 Waterfront Place. A sales and admin office will be on the ground floor, and a display unit will be on the second floor.

Finally, the BCNA understands there has been a consolidation of titles for the site so that it is now known as 1 and 5 Waterfront Place. 7 Waterfront Place will be at the Station Pier entrance to the former food store site at 103 Beach Street.

BCNA AGM Reminder

The BCNA’s 2025 AGM is being held this Thursday 18th September. It will be held at the Sandridge Community Centre (formerly called the Trugo Club), Tucker Street, Port Melbourne. Members should arrive at 7 pm for a 7.15 pm start.

The Guest Speaker will be Senior Sergeant Ely Reynolds, South Melbourne Police. Ms. Nina Taylor MP, Member for Albert Park, and Councillor Heather Cunsolo, Port Melbourne Ward have accepted invitations to attend and provide reports. All members are welcome.

Melbourne University Pauses Investment in Fishermans Bend

Recently, Melbourne University decided to pause work on the Fishermans Bend Campus. This decision has also been reported in The Age (paywall).

The University’s development was predicated on the Victorian Government meeting its promised timetable to build, develop and open tram infrastructure into the area by 2025 as stated in the 2018 Fishermans Bend Framework Plan and discussed by the BCNA.

This failure by the Victorian Government is a big disappointment for businesses, residents and the wider community. The BCNA believes Melbourne University has acted responsibly given the circumstances.

Australian Submarine at Station Pier

Ports Victoria has told us that an Australian submarine will be at Station Pier from Friday 29th August to Friday 5th September.

Station Pier will not be open to the public to allow a closer look during this visit.

While at Station Pier, the submarine will be “snorting” at certain times. Snorting is a procedure where some exhaust gases are released and appears as black smoke. Snorting is expected to occur from 1600 to 2359 hrs on Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Fire Rescue Victoria and Victoria Police are aware of these events.

Savings on Non-recyclable Waste Charges

Very soon, property owners will receive their rate notices for 2025/26. The City of Port Phillip (Council) has set a three per cent average general rates increase, which is in line with the Victorian Government’s rates cap.

This year Council has increased the Default Waste Charge and the Kerbside Food Organics and Garden (FOGO) collection charge by about 13 per cent. However, by ordering a smaller Waste Bin for non-recyclable waste, residents may be able to reduce their costs. You see, the City of Port Phillip provides 3 bin sizes for kerbside rubbish collection.

Every household is allocated a default bin of 120 litre with the cost of that included in your rates. However, if you request (or still have) the largest 240 size, an additional $290 charge per annum is added to your rates.

If, on the other hand, you downsize from the default 120 litre to 80 litres, you will be given an $82 rebate on your annual rates.

It’s simple to change your bins, just go to Council's Request bin repairs, a new or extra bin web page and they will deliver the desired bin size on an agreed day and collect the old one.

Click/tap here for full details of Council’s new 10-year plan and the Budget for 2025/26.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The BCNA’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday 18th September 2025 at the Sandridge Community Centre (formerly called the Trugo Club), Tucker Street, Port Melbourne. Members should arrive at 7 pm for a 7.15 pm start.

Reports have been sent to financial members. If you did not receive the reports, it may be because you are unfinancial or that you have changed your contact details. Please contact the Treasurer to check.

The Guest Speaker will be Senior Sergeant Ely Reynolds, South Melbourne Police. Ms. Nina Taylor MP, Member for Albert Park, and Councillor Heather Cunsolo, Port Melbourne Ward have accepted invitations to attend and provide reports.

Progress Regarding Residents’ Concerns about the Barak Beacon Housing Development

Since our last update, Councillor Heather Cunsolo, Port Melbourne Ward, organised a meeting with the builder, ICON construction, to resolve the concerns of nearby residents. The concerns have been about excessive light spill (a problem since February), damage to residents’ properties - lawns, gardens, and watering systems - traffic, parking issues and very loud music played on site during works hours. A BCNA committee representative, Serge Zorino, who has a background in industrial consulting, was invited to join the meeting.

The builder has agreed to certain actions - click/tap here for a summary of the meeting. Some damage to nearby properties is the responsibility of other organisations, such as Southeast Water and CitiPower. Affected residents have been urged to contact these organisations to report damage and to seek compensation.

The builder expects the peak in the construction workforce will be later this year with each section to be completed in stages. The cranes will be progressively removed 6-8 weeks later. This is explained in the attached summary.

The BCNA thanks Councillor Cunsolo for initiating and leading the discussion with the builder.

Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey

Earlier this year we encouraged residents to participate in an annual survey to assess satisfaction with the City of Port Phillip’s services. Around 900 interviews were conducted with residents from mid-March to late April 2025.

Community satisfaction was measured across the broad range of Council provided services and facilities.  Overall satisfaction with the City of Port Phillip Council was classed as “good’, with a score of 6.9 out of 10. This result was lower than the 2025 metropolitan Melbourne average and the inner region councils’ averages.

The individual services that most under-performed the metropolitan average included planning and/or building permits (9% lower in Port Phillip), services for people with disability (5% lower by 43 respondents), bike and shared paths (4% lower), Divercity (4% lower), footpaths (4% lower), enforcement of local laws (4% lower), and Council’s website (4% lower). Port Phillip was, however, outperforming the metropolitan average for services for children from birth to five years of age (4% higher in Port Phillip).

Click/tap here to see the full report.

Help Shape Bay Street

The City of Port Phillip (Council) is seeking community input on ways to enhance the range of shops, services, dining, and entertainment along Bay Street.

Council is launching a research project to gather insights that will guide potential businesses, landlords, and real estate agents on the best types of tenants, based on local shopping habits. The results will also help shape ongoing efforts to support and strengthen the street’s unique character.

Tap/click on the link here to complete the survey, which closes on Friday, 8 August.

Princes Street Storm Water Drain

Melbourne Water has been undertaking desilting work to clear blockages at the mouth and further upstream.

The BCNA has had long standing concerns about health and appearance issues associated with this drain and has discussed them with representatives from Melbourne Water. The pond at the mouth of the drain is attractive to children as it has the appearance of being safe. However, birds foul the water making it unsafe. The discharge from the drain also conveys a poor image of the area, particularly after heavy rainfall events in the catchment as shown here.

Click/tap here for details of earlier BCNA discussions with Melbourne Water. Increased maintenance, such as more extensive cleaning and shaping to improve water flow, has been considered the best way to improve amenity.