Press Release on Port Melbourne Waterfront Urban Design Framework
Today BCNA held the handover of the Petition on the steps of Parliament House
In Photo:
Sue Pennicuik, MLC, Martin Foley MlA, Andrea Coote MLC, Trevor Nink Secretary BCNA and Eddie Micallef President BCNA
Click here for a pdf version of the BCNA Press Release
The Community Speaks on 1-7 Waterfront Place
This morning there was graphic demonstration of “tri” partisan support to retain the community amenity at the disputed Port Melbourne Triangle location, the seaborne tourist gateway to Melbourne. Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association President, Mr Eddie Micallef, along with other community leaders presented petitions to members of Parliament on the steps of Parliament House asking for protection to the existing facilities, view lines and residential services.
“After only a short period of collection 1,250 signatures were obtained from citizens of Port Melbourne and Victoria. It was great to see so many people present their views and make it clear that demolishing the low level child minding and sports facilities areas and replacing them with two towers, 10 and 14 storeys, was not acceptable and would be a major loss to the community” said BCNA President Eddie Micallef. “People from outside the bay area feel the same, as do residents from South Melbourne, Middle Park and Albert Park who are worried that covenants on height may be removed in their neighbourhoods also.”
“Also last Tuesday night the City of Port Phillip debated a Notice of Motion to extend the consultation period for the contentious draft Urban Design Framework at this important location. Councillors admitted that they had got the draft document wrong and will review the key Vision, Principles and Outcomes after accepting amendments to the Motion that were referred by the community. However the community battle is far from over as it will now join with other stakeholders and Council over some months to ensure the initial framework of overdevelopment will be further debated and sensible solutions created for generations to come.”
Mr Micallef went on to say “It was again very heartening to see 60 residents, with only 24 hours notice, turn up on a Monday evening meeting in the parkland behind 1-7 Waterfront Place to give their views for presentation to Councillors and Council the next night. Not only will a large development on this site exacerbate the already frequent traffic gridlock at the entry area to Station Pier, but high towers will cast shadows and generate wind flows over the community meeting places and lose some of the soul that exists at this award winning planned development. This area of Port has a soul largely created by the social interaction in this open and sunny environment.”
Any substantial development will also impact Station Pier and its shipping activities of the Tasmanian ferry and the Cruise Ships.
The BCNA is calling on the City of Port Phillip, with the aid of Parliament, to amend the Draft UDF Report to reflect the aspiration of local residents and the broader Victorian community.
Contact: Mr E. Micallef, President, BCNA
PH. 0413127422