At the AGM of the Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association on 23 September, a representative from the Action Group responded to some questions about the future of 7 to 11 Waterfront Place.

While unable to answer questions regarding height and form of any possible development, he said that the gym would form part of any new development on the site.

It will be an additional site that Genesis is taking in the Bianca development.

More trams on Route 109

This week, 40 extra weekday services and five additional services on Sundays were added to the route 109 service.
For the full timetable go to
www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
or call Metlink on 131 638

Street gallery of Port Primary's artwork

I love the paintings by Port Melbourne Primary School children on the Swallow Street site of the Melbourne Water main sewer replacement project.
It is interesting to me that most of the paintings show multi-storey buildings, bridges and freeways - there are only a few of single houses - reflecting the city as it is today.

artwork painted by students from Port Melbourne Primary School for the Melbourne Main Sewer Replacement: a Melbourne Water and John Holland initiatve as part of their community engagement and schools schools programme

Princes Pier in September (2)

The work on Princes Pier is difficult and painstaking - see how access to these cross beams is via a dinghy.

The Borough bow out

After last week's nail biting game against the Box Hill Hawks that had 'more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie novel' [The Record], Port went down to the Northern Bullants this afternoon.

Not even the motivating words of Gary Ayres and Port's record of success on its home ground were enough to counter the many AFL players dropped into the Bullants side.

Northern Bullants 4.4 11.10 14.10 16.13 (109)
Port Melbourne 3.1 4.4 8.9 13.10 (88)

Trees

Over 150 trees have been planted in Port Melbourne this spring, including these Araucaria [Norfolk Island Pines] filling in gaps along the Boulevard.
Trees of every type have been planted - exotic, native and indigenous.
The trees will be supported with a two year watering programme.
The tree planting programme is prepared throughout the year on the basis of report and inspection.
A detailed assessment of street trees in each street across Port Phillip will be done this year.

Kyme Place housing project update

sorry about the formal planning speak but this needs to be accurate:
A Notice of Decision to Grant a Planning Permit for the construction of a 4 storey building for use as a residential building (31 units) was made by the Port Melbourne Affordable Housing Project Planning Assessment Panel on 20 April 2009.
A Notice of Decision was issued on 29th April.
Objectors have lodged an Application for Reviewof the decision with VCAT.
The matter is listed to be heard over three days beginning on 28 September 2009

Better than a stink pipe

A new air treatment facility is being installed in the median strip in Howe Parade (near Leith Crescent), following complaints over many years about odour from the sewer which runs underneath the median.

It is expected to remove more than 99% of sewer gases and odours.
The project is being installed by The Pipelines Alliance on behalf of Melbourne Water.

For more information ring 1800 108 636 (toll free)
[for many years, I didn't realise what these pipes were for, did you?]

Port Phillip Council meets in Port

The Council met in the Port Melbourne Council chamber last night as part of a commitment to rotating council meetings around the city.
Community members asked these questions of Council*:

What is happening with

• having a toilet open and available in the Bay/Liardet St area?
• interventions to make the Bay/Liardet Street intersection safer?
• the gateway signage for Bay St consulted upon and promised?
• a 40 km speed limit for Bay St?
• the Council's attitude to the Port of Melbourne's recently announced intention to bring forward development at Webb Dock?
• the long awaited beautification of Rouse St, west of Bay St?
• the long awaited improvements to Bridge St, west of the Light Rail line?

Responses to these questions will be provided and reported back to Council.

* this is a summary

Two wheeled encounters on the foreshore path

I often meet Bruce when I am cycling back and forth to St Kilda. He travels from Port Melbourne to Inkerman Street every day. The shops are not as dear there.

Bruce gets the mail. People talk to him. He lets me know what's on people's minds.

Port of Melbourne Community Forum

At last night's meeting at Life Saving Victoria Headquarters, a status report on Williamstown Road was provided.

• vehicle volumes on Williamstown Road have remained stable over the past 3 years. It is positive there has been no increase as traffic volumes generally increase by about 2 to 3% p/a
• heavy truck traffic on Williamstown Road, west of Graham, is down approx 300 vehicles per day
• Plummer St is carrying in the order of 1,500 trucks per day

People questioned whether the full potential of the Plummer St bypass was being realised and raised a number of issues:

• people doing rat runs through Garden City to avoid queuing at Graham
• signage and promotion of the route

These issues will be taken up and followed up.

Dogs and bikes - off leash review

Have you made your thoughts known to Council on the proposed changes to dog off leash areas?

View the changes at http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/

[Council report of 10 August]

One of the proposed changes that has generated considerable debate is intended to to mange interactions between dogs and cyclists

"Change 8 - Prohibited Areas

• existing condition: While there is a restriction keeping dogs 5m away from children's play areas, no such restriction exists in relation to bike paths or pedestrian paths throughout the municipality


• proposed condition: prohibit dogs from going within 5m of any bike path or pedestrian path, unless on a leash or cord


• reason for change: to reduce the possibility for conflict between people and dogs"

What do you think? Feedback to animalmgt@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Promenade at Beacon Cove

A team of maintenance people commissioned by Major Projects Victoria have been down at the west end of Beacon Cove promenade, tidying up and weeding the vegetation (see post August 2nd)

We hope that MPV will continue to maintain the landscape to this standard until the City of Port Phillip takes control of the area in due course.

Sandridge Beach update

Uplifting the vegetation at Sandridge Beach has been generally well received (see post of June 7th), but people have been wondering when the next steps in the project will happen.

• public tender to construct park upgrades was advertised on Saturday 29 August


• tender will close on Friday 18 September and it is expected that it will be awarded in October


• hardscape construction including lighting, paths, furtniture and playgrouund will take place as soon as possible (October-November)


• planting will occur in April-May 2010, to ensure better plant survival rates during cool and wetter winter months

update provided by Zhanna Sichivitsa, Landscape Architect, City of Port Phillip

Safer crossing

The long awaited installation of luminous pedestrian crossing signs at the North Port Oval on Williamstown Road is great to see (though people should still take care crossing this wide and busy road)
The Boroughs enter the finals 4th on the ladder following their defeat by Williamstown on Saturday 16.12-108 to 9.12-66
The VFL finals series will be played here.