BCNA Members Dinner 27 March

The first dinner for 2025 will be held on Thursday 27th March. Members have been sent an invitation with details. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please email us for details.

Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey

Each year, the City of Port Phillip participates in the annual survey of residents to assess community satisfaction with Council services. It is organised by the Department of Government Services on behalf of all Councils. It is explained here.

This year’s survey will commence in early March and continue into April. Households may be contacted for a face-to-face interview by an independent research agency, Metropolis Research. The survey involves 900 interviews, conducted among a representative sample of residents. The personal details and individual responses of those undertaking the survey are confidential and only the overall results are shared with the City of Port Phillip. Similar surveys are conducted across all Victorian councils.

The BCNA encourages participation in the survey. The results for Port Phillip Council for 2024 can be found here.

Our Coastal Future

The City of Port Phillip (Council) has commenced work to develop a range of actions for implementation over coming years in how we use and manage our foreshore (foreshore Crown land, including adjacent public open space, clubs and businesses). Council is also developing a long-term strategic plan to understand the coastal hazards such as erosion and flooding, including inland areas, and their potential impacts across our city to better prepare us for the future (across both private freehold and public crown land).

Council is seeking nominations from community groups, clubs, residents and businesses for a Community Reference Group to provide input, feedback and advice to inform the development of the updated Foreshore Management Plan and new Coastal Adaptation Plan. Nominations close March 31, 2025.

The BCNA supports this work and encourages members to consider nominating for the reference group. The BCNA committee will also consider nominating a committee member. Click here for more information about this work.

BCNA Meeting with Nina Taylor MP

The BCNA arranges regular meetings with Nina Taylor MP, State Member for Albert Park, to discuss local issues.

Topics discussed at a recent meeting included:

• Fishermans Bend infrastructure - it is estimated that development has added 3000 apartments and over 6000 new residents and their cars onto existing roads. Ms. Taylor said there would be a new assessment of transport infrastructure once Metro 1 is completed. This is expected early in 2026.
• Barak Beacon redevelopment - once completed, this will drive a big increase in population on the site without any consequential improvement in public transport. The proposed Fishermans Bend tram service would help Barak Beacon and Garden City residents as the route shown in the 2018 Fishermans Bend Framework shows the tram terminating in Garden City. Ms. Taylor said she understood community concerns about traffic. She plans to contact the Minister for Transport about a transport plan for the area. 
• Hoon driving and related noise - Ms. Taylor is aware of the impact and welcomes constituents contacting her about this. She is seeking funds for an acoustic camera trial in the City of Port Phillip vicinity through the State Budget.
• The 109 tram service - the timetable for track duplication at Beacon Cove remains unknown, despite a recent meeting with Yarra Trams. Ms. Taylor undertook to ensure a Yarra Trams representative contacts BCNA to discuss this.

BCNA Meeting with Ward Councillors

BCNA representatives recently met Heather Cunsolo (Port Melbourne Ward) and Alex Makin (Montague Ward) to discuss local issues. Topics included:

• Hoon driving and related noise continues to detract from residents' quality of life, particularly in summer. Councillors stated that the City of Port Phillip has been planning to assist the Victorian Government should funds be provided to the EPA for an acoustic camera trial.
• The skatepark underneath the Graham Street overpass attracts comment about the lack of fence and graffiti. There are plans for fencing and screening around the site.
• Noise from vehicles using the Graham Street overpass due to its elevated position as well as incidents with speeding drivers. It was agreed that a permanent speed camera would help in managing noise and speed. However, it is noted that Graham Street is the responsibility of the Department of Transport.
• The Barak Beacon Housing redevelopment will mean a sizeable increase in population on the site. The BCNA is disappointed that the Victorian Government is persisting with the current design without any acknowledgement of local resident concerns as described here, or steps to mitigate the impact. Better transport infrastructure is needed for the population influx.
• The timetable for the planning and construction of transport infrastructure in Fishermans Bend, promised by the Victorian Government in the 2018 Fishermans Bend Framework, has not been met. The BCNA and both the City of Port Phillip and the City of Melbourne have made numerous representations about this.

Cruise Shipping Strategy being Developed

Ports Victoria recently initiated the development of a cruise shipping strategy for the Victorian Government. This was announced by the Victorian Government in July 2022 as explained here.

Representatives of the BCNA recently met consultants assisting Ports Victoria with the strategy. The task was to discuss the current state of cruise shipping, priority areas, pain points, and risks and opportunities for growth. Station Pier is considered the hub of cruise shipping which also includes Hastings, Portland and Phillip Island. Pleasingly, the task includes landside improvements around Station Pier.

The BCNA has long advocated for Government leadership of a project which would overcome the shortcomings of the area as explained here. The next step in the development of the strategy is the release of a discussion paper in March 2025.

Protecting the Amenity of Beacon Cove

The BCNA committee believes most members value the amenity of the planned estate in Beacon Cove and want to see it protected. To this end, we encourage property owners to adhere to the planning provisions in the Port Phillip Planning Scheme when considering improvements. Compliance with the planning scheme is the best way to maintain the unique character and amenity of the area. 

From time-to-time residents seek advice on how to manage disputes regarding planning applications. BCNA has prepared a short guide to assist members. Wherever possible, we encourage discussion with the owner to explain your concerns. Your concerns may be able to be resolved. Click/tap here for information about the planning controls in Beacon Cove and click/tap here for a guide.

Blessing of the Waters Festival 2025

Happy New Year to everyone.

The annual Greek Orthodox Blessing of the Waters ceremony will be held on Princes Pier, Port Melbourne on Sunday 12 January. The festival will take place from 12 noon to 5 pm. There will be music, dancing, and activities for children. Food and drink will be available together with a variety of other stalls.

Click/tap here for more details.

Hoon Activity in Beacon Cove

In recent weeks there have been reports of hoon behaviour in Beach Street and around Station Pier. Nearby residents have had their sleep and evenings disturbed by excessive vehicle noise.

Police encourage hooning to be reported on ‘000’ while it is occurring, if it is safe to do so, or to ring 131 444 at other times. Reporting helps police to identify ‘hot spots’ so that police resources can be effectively deployed in the future.

The BCNA believes that there should be greater use of technology, such as CCTV and acoustic cameras, to deter hoon behaviour.

Acoustic cameras are used in several countries and are being progressively introduced in Australia. For example, in NSW a trial commenced in December 2024 and will run until mid to late 2025 as explained here. In Victoria, the EPA would like to undertake a trial with the City of Port Phillip but needs funds to do so.

The BCNA continues to advocate to Nina Taylor MP, Member for Albert Park, about hoon behaviour and the need for government funding of the EPA to undertake a trial with the City of Port Phillip.

Ship Visits in January

Ports Victoria expects 22 cruise ships to visit Station Pier in January. Click/tap here for details.

A highlight will be the visit of the Royal Australian Navy’s sail training ship, Young Endeavour, on 24 and 25 January. She will be berthed at Inner West, just opposite the West Finger Pier. Click/tap here for further details about the Young Endeavour.