State Housing Target for the City of Port Phillip

In June 2024, the State Government released draft local government housing targets as part of statewide plans to reach 2.24 million new houses by 2051. Comments on the draft are expected by 30th August 2024. The targets are explained here.

The draft target for the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) is 56,000 new dwellings by 2051.

The draft target and CoPP’s response to the State Government was discussed at a Council meeting on 7 August. Council officers believe the city has enough existing capacity (without rezoning) to accommodate up to 59,000 new dwellings across the municipality if every site is developed to its full potential. Crucially, this potential includes Fishermans Bend which requires the provision of transport infrastructure promised by the Victorian Government but which has yet to materialise. Population growth in established residential areas also strains existing infrastructure - the State Government’s draft target does not include plans for the provision of updated or additional infrastructure. More details can be found in this CoPP paper.

The CoPP resolved to respond to the State Government seeking details about the methodology to determine housing targets, stressing the importance of State Government provision of infrastructure in Fishermans Bend and for updated and additional infrastructure in established areas.

Volunteers Needed for Around the Bay Bike Ride

The BCNA has received a request from the Bicycle Network for volunteers to help run this year’s ride. The ride takes place on Sunday 6th October (click here for details).

Specifically, the organisers are looking for volunteers to help as Route Marshals (job explained here). Marshals are required for 12 locations from the start site at Albert Park Lake and must have a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) which is free (click here to apply). As the WCCC cards can take a few weeks to arrive the organisers will accept proof in the form of a confirmation email after applying.

This spreadsheet provides location details where Route Marshals are required as well as start and finish times. Ideally, two volunteers per location are required. The shift times vary slightly by location but most fall between 5am and late morning.

If you are interested, please contact the BCNA at secretary@beaconcove.org.au providing name, phone and email address and the location you would prefer. Please respond by cob Friday 7 September.

City of Port Phillip’s Housing Strategy

At last week’s Council meeting, the City of Port Phillip approved a new housing strategy. A draft strategy for comment was released earlier this year and was explained here.

The completed housing strategy is designed to help direct and manage housing growth over a 15-year period, ensuring a range of housing opportunities are available across the municipality. It will also identify suitable locations for housing growth and change.

At the meeting, Council officers reported that community feedback on the draft strategy emphasised the need to direct housing to areas that can accommodate growth, a desire to preserve valued neighbourhood character, a balance of heritage and character with the need for new housing, an emphasis on sustainable housing and good design, and overall support for the introduction of an affordable housing target.

The completed Port Phillip Housing Strategy can be accessed here. The council’s agenda paper and supporting documents to the strategy can be accessed here.

New housing will be directed to areas close to services, jobs, public transport, and activity centres. Bay Street is considered a Major Activity Centre and Centre Avenue (around the shops in Garden City) is considered a Local Activity Centre.

The strategy respects areas that have planning overlays, such as the Neighbourhood Character Overlay, which applies to the low-rise homes in Beacon Cove. Nevertheless, change is expected close by. Affected areas include buildings on either side of Bay Street near Beach Street, small areas in Graham Street and Williamstown Road and in Centre Avenue in Garden City. Some incremental change is expected around the towers in Beach Street, Station Pier, and to the older non-Mirvac built homes in the block bounded by Morley, Little Swallow and Swallow Street. All these changes are depicted in a map of Port Melbourne on page 65 in the Housing Strategy. It is shown here.

Station Pier Berth Sweeping

The Port of Melbourne is conducting maintenance dredging at Station Pier over the next few weeks. This will involve ‘sweeping’ of the berth pockets on either side of the pier and will be undertaken by a tug. The work will be intermittent because the vessel will be working across several locations in the port of Melbourne.

Queries or feedback should be directed to the Port of Melbourne on telephone 1300 857 662 or email port.dredge@portofmelbourne.com.