Barak Beacon Housing Development - Ongoing Concerns

Since our last update, BCNA representatives met Heather Cunsolo, councillor for Port Melbourne ward, to discuss site related issues raised by nearby residents. We wanted to reinforce their complaints about excessive light spill (a problem since February), damage to residents’ properties - lawns, gardens and watering systems, traffic, and parking issues and, very loud music played on site during works hours.

BCNA research indicates that the builder ICON has obligations for community safety as well as site safety under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act and Construction regulations to address risks to health safety and welfare under its control. Risks brought to ICON’s attention by residents since February do not appear to have been addressed. A meeting is being sought with the builder, to discuss the issues of concern.

Update on Fishermans Bend Primary School

This new school is being built at 299 Williamstown Road as explained earlier.

Enrolments are now open for students in Foundation (Prep) to Year 6 in 2026. A kindergarten is expected to open in 2027. Click here for more details as well as photos.

BCNA Community Dinner

The second dinner for the year will be held on Thursday, 21st August. Members will be sent details soon. These are friendly and inviting events with further information on local issues made available. The proposed venue will be a new restaurant, and we anticipate a terrific event.

If you are not a member of BCNA and would like to attend please contact the Treasurer, Graham Kemp.

BCNA’s Annual General Meeting

This year’s AGM will be held on Thursday 18th September at the Sandridge Community Centre (formerly the Trugo Club) in Garden City Reserve. Members will be sent papers and further details in mid-August.

Community Safety Survey

The City of Port Phillip (Council) is conducting a community safety survey. The Council states: “Community safety is a priority for the City of Port Phillip. It influences how people use and interact with our public places and spaces: the built environment, local amenities, parks, and community facilities. A safer city contributes to positive health, social and economic outcomes for our community.”

The Council wants to hear what the priorities are for community safety, to help inform the development of the new Community Safety Plan. The survey should be completed by 11.59 pm on Sunday, 29 June (that's this coming Sunday).

The BCNA has as an objective to ‘preserve and enhance the quality of life in the area.’ In our view, hoon driving and excessive noise, and crime, detract from the enjoyment of living within the area. For this reason, we strongly encourage members to complete the survey. Click/tap here to access it.

Update on 103 Beach Street (former Beacon Cove Foodstore)

Recently, the City of Port Phillip approved plans for the public realm areas around this  development. The approved plans show design, materials for paved areas and plants to be used in the landscaping. Work has commenced on the plaza area at the front of the building, on the Station Pier side.

The area will be landscaped and transformed to what is depicted here (click/tap here to download):

The area at the rear will be landscaped and include public car parking as shown. The plans show space for a retail area on the ground floor. The entrance to the retail area will be from the front of the building (click/tap here to download).

The BCNA welcomes the progress to date and the development of this site.  We will provide further updates as information becomes available.

Barak Beacon Housing Development - Action on Excessive Light Spill

In response to concerns from nearby residents, the builder, ICON construction, will reduce the floor lighting from the five five tower cranes from 8pm to 5.30am, Monday to Sunday. This will take effect from Friday 13th June. The builder will continue to monitor the lighting to ensure it meets the community’s needs while maintaining safety and security.

The BCNA thanks Councillor Heather Cunsolo and Ms. Nina Taylor MP, for helping to gain this outcome.

No Funding for Acoustic Camera Trial

Unfortunately, the recent Victorian Government Budget contained no funding for an acoustic camera trial with the City of Port Phillip. Ms. Nina Taylor, MP, Member for Albert Park, had sought funding for the trial. This news was discussed at a recent meeting BCNA representatives had with Ms. Taylor. Ms. Taylor said she would explore ways in which a grant might be obtained for a trial.

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.

Other topics discussed with Ms. Taylor was excessive light spill from the Barak Beacon housing development (see item above), and possible new tram routes into Fishermans Bend. 

Barak Beacon Housing Development - Excessive Light Spill

Over many months, residents in Beacon Road and nearby streets have raised concerns with the builder, ICON construction, about excessive ‘light spill’ from the five large cranes at night. There is intense very bright light from the cranes.

In mid-March, ICON construction acknowledged the direct impact of the lighting on residents and stated that they had engaged lighting specialists to assess whether adjustments could be made while still meeting safety obligations. The assessment was to consider factors such as direction, and intensity of the lighting. ICON construction expected advice would be able to be provided to residents in early April.

Despite multiple written requests from the Beacon Road and Beacon Cove community to ICON constructions, no advice has been provided.

Nearby residents have contacted the City of Port Phillip. The BCNA has contacted ICON construction and Ms. Nina Taylor MP, Member for Albert Park, about the problem stressing the impact on nearby residents.

Home and Car Security

Unfortunately, the BCNA continues to receive reports of thefts from cars and attempted home entry. We urge property owners to be vigilant as explained in our earlier news item.

Thefts from cars are the most common type of crime in the Port Melbourne area. Disappointingly, local police report that most car thefts occur with cars that are left unlocked. So, we remind members to lock your car whenever it is out of your sight.

More recently, car thieves have developed ways of getting into locked cars. Any car which has keyless access where one does not need to press the unlock button on the key fob to gain entry is vulnerable to theft as explained here.

The RACV also has a useful article on how to prevent push-start car theft with an OBD lock.