BCNA AGM – Summary of Meeting

The BCNA held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 14th November. For those who could not attend click/tap here for a summary of the meeting.

The Guest Speaker was Craig Walker, CEO of Ports Victoria. Craig spoke about the maintenance and improvements to Station Pier, the preparation of a Cruise Ship Strategy, and that it is planned to open Station Pier to the public at weekends.

Ms. Nina Taylor, MP, State Member for Albert Park, spoke about the freight yard adjoining Station Pier may become a community area, hoon driving, and that she will investigate the installation of road humps to control hoon driving near Station Pier.

Port Melbourne Ward Councillor Heather Cunsolo spoke about collaborating with police on hoon driving, Fishermans Bend and public transport, E-scooters and 1 and 7 Waterfront Place.

Vale Greg Mate

It is sad that we note the passing of Greg Mate.

Greg was a long term resident of Beacon Cove. He was a member of the BCNA and served on the committee and as Vice President.

Greg was a surveyor by training. His knowledge of surveying and town planning was invaluable to the community and to the Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association.

The BCNA extends our sympathy to Greg’s wife Pam and to their family.

Fishermans Bend Primary School

In June we advised that the state government proposed a new primary school for Fishermans Bend to cater for the increasing population. The location for the school has been announced as 299 Williamstown Road, which is on the corner of Smith Street. The school is projected to house a student population of around 650 students and provide welcome relief from the population pressures on the existing Port Melbourne Primary School. The BCNA welcomes this announcement but urges government planners to provide accessible green space for the student population. Primary school students need room to run and play!

Click/tap here for more details.

Fishermans Bend Insight Event

Recently, we highlighted an event to be hosted by Fishermans Bend Business Forum. The event was held on 15th October and provided a range of details about the Fishermans Bend development. Speakers reported that over 6,000 new residents had arrived since the start of development. The Fishermans Bend population is projected to increase from 1,902 residents and 28,156 workers in the 2021 census to approximately 16,000 residents and around 36,000 workers by 2030.

The BCNA notes that this influx of residents is occurring without any change to roads, available green space, or transport infrastructure. Significant additional bus services have been announced but it must be noted that this adds to the congestion on existing roads. The BCNA urges the state government to accelerate plans for trams and trains that will provide residents with alternatives to road transport.

Click/tap here for more details on this event.

Reminder of BCNA AGM - This Thursday

This year’s AGM of the BCNA will be held this Thursday, 14th November, at 7:15 pm. It will be held at the Trugo Club in Garden City Reserve. All financial members and supporters are invited to attend.

The President’s Report is now available, click here to read it.

Other papers for the AGM were emailed earlier.

The Guest Speaker will be Craig Walker, CEO, Ports Victoria. This will provide an unusual opportunity to hear about developments within Ports Victoria and how Station Pier and the surrounding Waterfront Place precinct fit into the Ports Victoria strategy. We will also have an update from Hon Nina Taylor, Member for Albert Park and have invited our outgoing councillors for Gateway Ward being Heather Cunsolo, Marcus Pearl, and Peter Martin, all of whom have served us well. This meeting represents a great opportunity to discuss local issues with your representatives.

1-7 Waterfront Place Update

Representatives from the BCNA recently met with executives from Casa Property, who confirmed their recent purchase of 1-7 Waterfront Place from Action Australia Group. Before purchase, Casa Property did extensive research on the development site and the existing permit that allows for a 10 storey development. They propose to refresh the design and, in the near future, to demolish the building remnants from the original Mirvac design. This location has a long and sorry history and the BCNA looks forward to building on the relationship with Casa Property to encourage a development that refreshes this important community site.

Port Phillip Neighbourhood Policing Forum

Victoria Police are holding a neighbourhood policing forum at 5:30pm to 8:30pm on Tuesday 3 December.

The forum will explore topics including: 

• Current crime trends and crime prevention 
• Family violence 
• Young people 
• Road policing 
• Drugs and drug related crime

For details on how to register (which is required) or how to submit a question in advance, please click/tap here.

Our Newsletter is Out

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

• Renters are welcome to become members
• The Barak Beacon public housing site in Port Melbourne
• Update on 1 and 7 Waterfront Place 
• Hoon driving and related noise.
• Update on Foodstore redevelopment at 103 Beach Street
• Dogs off leash in public spaces  
• Air quality monitoring at Station Pier
• BCNA’s 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.

Council Elections - Fair Access for All Candidates

We are aware of reports that a popular Port Melbourne Facebook group is blocking posts from certain candidates in the forthcoming Council elections.

The BCNA calls on all such groups to be even handed or at least be honest about the fact that they have an editorial policy for or against specific candidates.

The BCNA is of the view that all candidates should have equal access to channels that enable them to inform Port Melbourne voters. We believe any restriction contravenes the principles of free speech, and unfairly promotes the political views of some candidates at the expense of others.

Candidates’ Forum for Council election

Four (of five) candidates standing for Port Melbourne Ward in the City of Port Phillip election participated in the BCNA organised forum on Wednesday, 9th October. In the photo, from left to right, they are Adrian King, Heather Cunsolo, Richard Whitfield and David Wright.

The forum is explained here. Janet Bolitho, a former Mayor of the City of Port Phillip has posted her personal views of the forum on her blog which may be of interest.