New Plans for 1-7 Waterfront Place

Representatives of the new owners have told us that they have developed modified plans (from those approved by VCAT in October 2022) and that the plans are now on display on the City of Port Phillip website. To access details of the modified proposals, click/tap here, scroll down to "Current appeals", then click/tap on 1-7 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne.  Alternatively, click/tap here for the architect plans and click/tap here for the statement of changes.

The modified plans include an enlarged entrance and forecourt area on Beach Street. This is designed to get vehicles visiting the property off Beach Street. Vehicles will enter a forecourt area to set down passengers before exiting to Beach Street, or to underground parking. The architects have ‘softened’ the earlier design by using curves on corners and features and have sought to allow more light into ground floor areas.

There will be a total of 84 apartments (down from 119), and 164 car spaces over two levels underneath the building. There will be a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom apartments.

The BCNA welcomes the new plans as they offer improvements over the existing VCAT approved design. In particular, the new entrance and set down area will improve traffic flow on Beach Street which will become more congested over time.

The next step is a VCAT compulsory conference on 30 April of the parties that participated in the earlier VCAT Hearing.

Climate and Energy - Macnamara Candidates’ Forum

The Port Phillip Climate and Energy Network (PECAN) and the Glen Eira Emergency Climate Action Network (GECAN) have organised a candidates’ forum to discuss climate and energy policies.

It is being held next Tuesday, 1 April, at 7 pm at the St Kilda Town Hall. Federal Member Josh Burns (Labor) and Sonya Semmens (Greens) will be present for a discussion on climate and energy policies. Click here for details about the Forum and to register.

Crime Statistics and Crime Prevention

Unfortunately, there has been an increase in offences recorded and criminal incidents in Port Melbourne in recent years. Port Melbourne ranks third after St. Kilda and South Melbourne in Port Phillip in terms of incidents in 2023 and 2024. The statistics are collected by the Crime Statistics Agency and can be found here.

The most common type of crime in the City of Port Phillip is stealing from a motor vehicle. The most common location is street/lane/footpath.

BCNA representatives recently met police from South Melbourne station to discuss crime prevention. The police noted that our local suburbs have a high percentage of street parking, due to limited space. They also noted that the majority of theft occurs from vehicles left unlocked. To combat vehicle theft, they recommend to lock all doors, secure your keys and park in a well-lit and secure area. Click/tap here for further advice. We also discussed number plate theft and steps to prevent theft as explained here. We agreed to work closely and will include advice on related issues from time to time.

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.