Acoustic Camera Trial Announced

The BCNA welcomes the announcement by the Premier and the Minister for Environment, The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, of a two year acoustic camera trial commencing later this year. Seven cameras will be installed at key ‘hot spot’ locations across Victoria to monitor vehicle noise.

                          

We acknowledge Nina Taylor MP, State Member for Albert Park, for her strong advocacy on this issue.

However, the BCNA has significant concerns about the current design of the trial. As announced, the trial focuses narrowly on vehicle and engine noise, overlooking noise generated by burnouts, drifting, and rapid acceleration. It also leaves open opportunities for evasion after detection. The BCNA has now produced a paper assessing the trial and outlining key issues.

The BCNA has provided these concerns to Nina Taylor MP, to the Minister for Environment, the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP, and our local councillors. We will continue to actively pursue improvements to the trial’s scope and effectiveness.

Future uses of the freight yard near Station Pier

The BCNA has regular meetings with Ports Victoria to better understand plans and to discuss improvements to the area. One of the issues we discussed at a recent meeting was the use of the freight yard. We heard that the yard is still integral to operations but that Ports Victoria is open to ideas about community use at certain times. We heard that Ports Victoria has discussed this with the City of Port Phillip. The BCNA strongly supports the yard being used for community uses. The BCNA would welcome ideas for uses by emailing brief details to the President or Secretary.

New Committee Members Wanted

The BCNA is seeking new committee members. This is a valuable opportunity to contribute directly to advocacy across all three levels of government and to help progress community issues that affect you and your neighbours. If you are interested, please contact the Secretary or President to discuss current priorities and how you can be involved.

BCNA Members Dinner - Thursday 16 April

The first dinner for 2026 will be held on Thursday 16th April. Members have been sent an invitation with details. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please email us for details. 

Suggest Locations for Council’s New Mobile CCTV Trailer

The City of Port Phillip is purchasing a second mobile CCTV trailer as reported here. Council staff have asked BCNA to nominate potential locations. We will do this. However, if you have information about areas that may not be well known, please provide details to our Secretary.

The mobile CCTV units are deployed by police to areas of need across the City of Port Phillip. The units serve as a deterrent to those considering anti-social behaviour and assist police in identifying offenders.

Council’s Community Satisfaction Survey

Each year, the City of Port Phillip (Council) participates in the annual survey of residents to assess community satisfaction with Council services.

This year, Klein Research and Metropolis Research will conduct the survey during March and April. Researchers may contact residents by telephone or in person by knocking on your door, selected through random sample. Participation is voluntary and confidential. A total of 1,300 Port Phillip residents will be surveyed, with each survey taking approximately 5 to 15 minutes. Your personal details and individual responses are strictly confidential. Only the overall results will be shared with Council.

The BCNA encourages participation in the survey. We reported the results of the 2025 survey in August last year.

Navy Ships at Station Pier

A French navy ship, the Auguste Benedix, is at Station Pier until Monday 16th March. It will not be open to the public. Click/tap here for details about the ship.

HMAS Ballarat, an Anzac class frigate, is arriving on Friday 13th March and departing on Tuesday 17th March. The City of Ballarat has organised a ‘Freedom of Entry’ ceremony for the ship’s crew on Sunday 15th March. Click/tap here for details.

Council Seeks Victorian Government Funds for Acoustic Camera Trial

At its meeting on 4th March, the City of Port Phillip passed a motion seeking Victorian Government support and funding for an acoustic camera trial in the City of Port Phillip. This was introduced by Councillor Heather Cunsolo and passed unanimously. The motion also requests the Mayor to write to various state government representatives to promote this cause. It also proposes that council officers investigate the NSW trial of this technology.           

The President of the BCNA, Tim Norman, spoke in support of the motion as did Heather Brown, a member and resident of Beach Street. Pleasingly, the topic generated media coverage such as this.

Suggest Locations for Speed Cameras

BCNA representatives recently met local police to discuss measures that can be used to manage hoon activity. Speeding is often involved. Police reminded us that the community can suggest ‘speed areas’ where cameras could be placed. Click/tap here to do so.

CCTV Information Session in Port Melbourne

The City of Port Phillip (Council) is arranging information sessions to explain the role out of the expansion of CCTV coverage that was recently announced by the Mayor, Alex Makin. Bay Street is included in the program.

Details about the CCTV expansion will be explained at an information session on Wednesday 11th March, from 6 to 7.30 pm at the Port Melbourne Community Room, (Level 1), 147 Liardet Street, Port Melbourne. Bookings are essential. Click/tap here for more details and click/tap here to make a booking.

The BCNA encourages members who have views about community safety and the location of CCTV cameras to attend this meeting.