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The Beacon
September 2013
Newsletter of the Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association Inc (BCNA)
BCNA’s aims and aspirations include “providing a forum for all residents of Beacon Cove and abutting neighbourhoods to discuss key local issues with a view to preserving and enhancing the quality of life within the area”.
1-7 Waterfront Place
The attempts of the majority in the community to maintain the availability of the previous community facilities (child-minding, tennis courts, pool, gym) and keep the low rise balance on this site have been proceeding on many fronts. The status of these actions changes almost weekly, with BCNA providing regular updates via email and the website.
Ø Supreme Court action: benefited property owners need to decide whether to join the proceedings as objectors on 9th December.
Ø VCAT:the owner action seeking to remove or modify the restrictive covenants is scheduled to be heard over 5 days commencing 7th October; the appeal against the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) decision on an 18 storey building has not yet been scheduled at the Tribunal; the owner has now also introduced a 10 storey building application to the Tribunal (before CoPP has made a decision on the application).
Ø CoPP: will decide on C104 Planning Scheme Amendment and also the 10 storey owner consent application at Council Meeting on 24th September.
There have been many submissions and petitions by community members against C104 and the development proposals. As well as BCNA, recent submissions by the Community Alliance of Port Phillip, Unchain Inc and Save Port Melbourne Gateway have criticised Council for pushing ahead with its Design Guidelines for the site while all are defending the retention of the covenants (the covenants at 1-7 Waterfront Place effectively limit buildings to around the 3 storeys).
Port of Melbourne Activities
Port Melbourne residents are certainly aware of the port activities around us and generally enjoy the character of the maritime operations. BCNA is actively engaging with the Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) to protect and enhance this contact between residents and the port at both Station Pier and Webb Dock. For the Webb Dock Port Capacity Project we are represented on the Project Liaison Group, providing input to ensure the construction and operations will not detract from the community amenity. So far we have been able to advise on nuisance noise, light spill and traffic management. BCNA, along with other stakeholders, has interviewed all the short listed bidders seeking to become the new international and empty container operator and stressed the way they can be effective partners with local residents.
On another port topic the peak traffic problems at the Princes Street roundabout largely relate to port traffic to and from the ferry and cruise ships. We have been encouraging PoMC to contribute actively to the waterfront Urban Design Framework and to the Planning Scheme Amendment C104 for 1-7 Waterfront Place in an attempt to minimise these problems.
New model rules being proposed by the BCNA Committee
A new legislative framework for incorporated associations in Victoria came into effect on 26 November 2012. The framework includes a new act (the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012), new regulations (the Associations Incorporation Reform Regulations 2012), and
new model rules for incorporated associations.
Our current rules do not incorporate all the mandatory content required by the new act. In order to ensure BCNA meets the requirements of the Act, the Committee is proposing that new rules be adopted at the Annual General Meeting next month. Formal adoption will require support of the resolution by 75% of the members in attendance.
More information and a copy of the proposed rules can be found on our website www.beaconcovena.blogspot.com (go to the right-hand side-bar, Quick Links, BCNA Rules).
Social Events
BCNA social events continue to be successful, enjoyable and well attended - between 40 and 60 people each time. A highlight was the late summer dinner at Pier 35 where 60 people enjoyed excellent meals, spectacular sunset views and a chance to speak with each other and share BCNA news. In mid-winter, café Pane e Tulipani gave us a convivial venue, friendly service and good, substantial Italian style meals accompanied by a complimentary glass of wine.
A further dinner will be held in November – for details see our website.
BCNA 2013 AGM - for your diary.
The AGM will be held again at the Trugo Club in Garden City Reserve at 6:30 pm for 7:00 pm on Thursday 17 October. Our special guest speaker will be Mr Stephen Bradford, CEO of PoMC. With three Committee members retiring at this meeting we will be recognising their service and seeking new members to fill the vacancies.
Membership
With 167 Household memberships for 2012/13, BCNA continues to gain support from within our local area. Subscriptions for 2013/14 are now due. If you are not currently financial please complete the form below and return as per instructions.
If you are reading this Newsletter and are not a BCNA member please consider joining now. The various articles in this Newsletter demonstrate the high level of activity of the Association in representing the interests of Beacon Cove and neighbouring residents. Membership is just $10 per year or $45 for 5 years. The greater the membership numbers the greater the BCNA ability to influence.
Urban Design Framework
In early September the final unsettled issues were discussed at a roundtable meeting of submitters, our ward councillor Bernadene Voss and CoPP officers. There is agreement on most issues but also a feeling that the objective of creating a more engaging place for Melburnians and visitors has not been achieved. The peak traffic congestion, parking problems, wind effects and limited space were always going to make this a challenge. It is expected that CoPP will amend some road proposals and remove any reference to seaplanes. As part of city wide programs, CoPP committed to add toilet facilities near the 109 terminal and review parking spaces and pricing. The proposal for changing the boardwalk pavement - to have bicycles share with prams as the temporary solution - is accepted as long as the longer term structural changes are done quite soon. However the surface treatment is still not agreed. CoPP is expected to bring a revised UDF to Councillors in coming weeks.
Planning Scheme Amendment C73
For those townhouse residents who submitted their property titles to Best Hooper to have changes made to the covenants apropos C73, we have investigated the status of these actions and we have been unable to receive advice of when titles will be returned. We will email advice when it is received from CoPP.
Committee
President: Eddie Micallef 9645 1185
Vice President: Greg Mate 9681 7441
Treasurer: Dana Hlavacek 9646 8850
Secretary: Trevor Nink 9681 8283
Member: Ro Holmes 9649 1961
Member: Glenda Beale 0407 967690
Member: Robyn McKenna 9646 5259
Member: Richard Nowotny 9645 6870
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BCNA 2013/14 Subscription Notice
Please complete this form, tear off and post with cheque (payable to BCNA) to The Treasurer BCNA, 61/103 Beach Street Port Melbourne or deliver to 103 Beach Street postal box (behind IGA store, near notice board).
Cheque encl. $10(one year) □or $45(five years) □
Name: ...........................................................
Phone: ...........................................................
Address: ...........................................................
...........................................................
Email address: ....................................................
I confirm that:
(a) I wish to become a member of the Association; and
(b) I agree to support the Purposes and be bound by the Rules of the BCNA .
Signature:………………………………………………....