Update: Lady Forster Kindergarten

Today the Heritage Council heard the application made by a Port Melbourne resident to place Lady Forster Kindergarten in Esplanade West on the Victorian Heritage Register. Council does not think that LFK should be on the Register. The Heritage Council gave no time frame for their decision beyond saying it would be very soon.

Fixing up the Town Hall

The Port Town Hall is being refreshed. Insulation has been installed in the ceiling. The walls have been painted. The parquetry floors will be sealed and varnished this weekend - so the Library and Assist will be closed through to Wednesday because of the strong fumes. We hope that the renovations will make the hall more attractive to more users.

Royal visits to Port Melbourne

Royal visitors may have arrived in Sandridge in the early days but were then whisked away to St Kilda Pier to make the grand entrance to Melbourne up Fitzroy St and St Kilda Rd rather than via the 'drab and shabby' entrance of Port Melbourne. The first Royal visitor to Sandridge [and Australia] was Prince Alfred, Queen Victoria's son, in 1867. When the Queen visited in 1956, Port Melbourne people waited on St Kilda Rd to see her. The most recent royal to visit was Prince Charles in 1988. He stopped for tea at the newly constructed public housing between Beach and Rouse St following his interest in urban architecture. People campaigning against the Sandridge City Development [the proposal which preceded Beacon Cove] appealed to him and he sent word to the campaigners on his return to England. [pers comm]

'Many communities' from Montague

Montague Continuing Education Centre's student exhibition opened today at Gasworks. Please go and see it. There are linocuts, paintings of great expression and wild ceramic teapots. Montague is for students between 15 to 19 with mild intellectual disabilities. The school won an award for their participation in Round the Bay in a Day for the smallest school with the largest number of participants. Principal Gerry Charles supports possibility and opportunity in every student, as well as being an active member of Port Melbourne Rotary. The artwork pictured here is one of several collective pieces created by the students. The artist in residence programme was funded through the City of Port Phillip's Cultural Development Fund.

Documenting the changes in inner Melbourne

In the late '80s and early '90s, Brian Cleveland drew buildings and structures that were being demolished. He brought his prolific collection of drawings into the Historical Society. Drawings spilled from his prolific portfolio of scenes familiar from photographs but now gone - such as Centenary Bridge, the sub-station between Station and Princes Pier [pictured here] and the Sandridge railway bridge. Each meticulously detailed drawing was done on site and reflected the particular light conditions. His Port Melbourne work is only one small part of his prolific output.

Sunday evening - looking back and forward

I realise I mention events that are ahead, but don't report back on how they went. Well - the downpipe disconnection demonstration was well attended. When it started to rain we sheltered under the tent and much interesting conversation about Port Melbourne history was shared. The Blessing of the Bikes made space for bike riders as well as those who may be more ambivalent about them. Gasworks was our back/frontyard with Deborah Conway easing through the afternoon. Now to think ahead: Monday night's Historical Society meeting on Crime in Sandridge pre 1851 sounds so interesting - but I will be at Council. Then on Thursday it's the Port of Melbourne Community Information Evening from 6.30. Can you let me know how it works when I post more than one photo?

Sunday around Port

Blessing of the Bikes: SouthPort Uniting Church: Bridge St: Port Melbourne: 10 to 10.30 - a time for reflection and prayer for people and their bikes as well as a time to remember anyone affected by bike accidents - such as the one witnessed by many in Bay St a few weekends ago

Spend the afternoon at Gasworks with Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier, supported by the Mood Swing Chor: 1 to 4 [Wet weather back up in place]

Prepare for summer gardening

Tomorrow at Fishermens Bend Community Centre, Sustainable Plumbing Solutions will show the preferred way of disconnecting your downpipe to divert water onto garden beds. 20 families will be offered this service for free by Melbourne Water. Its part of reducing stormwater run-off to the Bay while making productive use of stormwater. Vegie-q and coffee as well. 10 to 1: Centre Ave/Dunstan Parade

At last!

Bridge and Ross St re-opens to traffic tomorrow. Bridge St residents will once again experience traffic while Farrell St residents will have that pressure eased. Hopefully people who have been discouraged by the works from using Bridge St as a through route will stay away.

Council meeting Monday 24 October: Bay and Bridge Gaming Application

The report to Council recommends that Council prepare a submission to the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation opposing the application for 29 new EGMs at the Bay and Bridge Hotel at 316 Bay St. The report suggests that an increase in spending on EGMS will contribute to a negative social and economic impact on the municipality. The submission will draw on Council's gambling policy which is available here. The meeting papers can be accessed from this link, or from the Council meetings and agendas link in the right hand menu. The meeting is at St Kilda from 6 pm.

Meet up with the Port of Melbourne Corporation next week

This annual catch up with our neighbours, the Port of Melbourne Corporation, is on again next Thursday at Life Saving Victoria Headquarters. PoMC staff will be there to share information on Port projects and programs. If you would like to talk about Station Pier and cruise shipping, it is especially important to RSVP to ensure that all interested people have an opportunity to join a breakout session. RSVP to community@portofmelbourne.com or phone Lauren on 1300 857 662. Thursday 27 October: 6.30 to 8.30 pm: Life Saving Victoria Headquarters, 200 The Boulevard [cnr Todd Rd]

The day we have been waiting for

On this perfect morning, David Davis, the Victorian Minister for Health, announced that Claremont and SouthPort have been successful in securing the St Vincents site in Napier St for a new high care aged care facility. There was gratitude and appreciation all round for the efforts of Martin Foley, Council, dedicated committees of management and community members who have worked for so long to get to this point. Co-chairs Lyn Allison of SouthPort and Peter Manger of Claremont, thank the Minister. For more detail, read here.

Notice

Council has received an application from the Bay and Bridge Hotel, formerly Chequers, to operate 29 additonal Electronic Gaming Machines [EGMs]. The hotel needs both approval from the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation and a planning permit from Council. The website of the VCGR provides details of the number of, and expenditure at, EGMs in all venues in Port Phillip.

Time out

Making the most of the beautiful day.

Highlighting the presence of pedestrians

The Council has asked VicRoads to re-paint the yellow highlight on the crossings at Bay and Rouse St. The colour has faded and reduced its effectiveness in alerting drivers to the presence of pedestrians. Bay St is an arterial road managed by VicRoads.

Bike visitation

Cruikshank Street's Anne Garrow - can you believe she has just ridden to Frankston and back?

Pickles St & Beaconsfield Parade

A constant stream of outward and returning cyclists rode through Port Melbourne for Around the Bay in a Day. It was both an individual and group effort for families, friends, and colleagues in a mass participation cycling event. Congratulations to you all - whatever the distance you rode.

Around the Bay in a Day

Many Port Melbourne people have been in training for the big ride. This year there are a range of distance options for people wanting to ride part of the way. Watch out for cyclists tomorrow especially on Pickles St and Beaconsfield Parade. Cyclists are heading out of Melbourne in both directions. Around the Bay will wrap up a huge week in cycling starting with Ride to Work Day, and followed by the two day Bike Futures Conference.

A diverse and energetic Seniors Festival Program

The Seniors Festival has been hectic. Every day there is something excellent on. Wednesday's panel 'Can we be ageless?', chaired by Peter Couchman, elicited lively contribution from the audience around feelings of invisibility associated with ageing, loss of identity with the end of paid work, and the need for transition planning to retirement. Father Bob provoked and challenged, cautioning people to watch out for 'invasive negative thoughts'. Aunty Caroline Briggs spoke powerfully of the role of stories in connecting the generations. This photo of the Share and Care Variety Entertainers was taken at the Community Ball held at the South Melbourne Town Hall last night. The RAAF Band got even the most reluctant dancers to their feet. Tomorrow the Life in Port Phillip photo exhibition opens at the Camera Club at 1 pm [cnr Ferrars & Dorcas St] and on Sunday at 2 pm guests will read from Port Phillip Writes at St Kilda Library. Refer to the full program for even more activities.

Significant day to record

The Clean Energy legislative package passed through the House of Representatives today. The 19 Bills which comprise the Clean Energy legislation and the Steel Transformation Plan Bill, will put a price on carbon pollution, promote investment in renewable energy and support land management practices that reduce carbon pollution. For a link to the legislation, click here.

Playhouse will go on

SouthPort Playhouse will be able to continue their valued service after Council last night agreed to support it to the end of June 2012. Playhouse has offered occasional childcare in this community for over 25 years. Parents contribute through fees as well as regular rosters. The service, based at Port Melbourne Primary School, was facing closure by the end of the year as neither federal nor state government would agree to continue funding the 'Take a Break' program.

South Melbourne Market supports Ride to Work Day

The market is offering something nice to Ride to Work cyclists tomorrow morning at the corner of Cecil and York St between 7.30 and 9.30 am. Maybe its more free bananas?

Seniors Festival begins

The Seniors Festival kicked off with a beautiful Tea Dance at the Town Hall with music from the Police Band. The people pictured here are members of Port Phillip's Older Person's Consultative Committee - including Michael Gibson, Liz Robson and Maureen Smith - who have helped create the great program - copies are at the Port Town Hall or on line here.

Council report: Submission to the 2011 Victorian Speed Limit Review

VicRoads, for the Minister, has invited submissions to a review of Victorian speed limits with a view to making them easier to comply with through being better coordinated and aligned with what people expect when conditions are comparable. The City of Port Phillip's shopping centres have a range of different speed limits - Acland St [30 kph], Clarendon St, Fitzroy St, Barkly St and Carlisle St [40 kph but for different hours]. Bay St and Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea are anomalies at 60 kph. Council will be submitting 'that 'all major shoping centres be consistent with preferably permanent 40 kph or at least 40 kph, 8 am to midnight daily.' 40 kph is generally agreed by road safety experts to be the speed at which a pedestrian or cyclist can withstand a collision and survive. It is unacceptable that with its high level of pedestrian activity that Bay St should continue to have a speed limit of 60 kph.

Silence returns at 3

I'd forgotten how noisy cranes are! Thought it might be a good time to refresh on the days and hours that construction works are permitted: 'Except in case of an emergency, a builder must not carry out building works without first obtaining a permit from Council's Local Laws Section: Monday to Friday: 7.00 am to 6.oo pm; or Saturdays: 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. An after hours building works permit cannot be granted for an appointed public holiday under the Public Holidays Act, 1993.' These requirements accompany any planning permit.

End of an era for the London

I've heard that the London has closed. Does anyone know more? The hotel would have been through a few incarnations over its history - view the London in the 1880s in the City of Port Phillip's heritage database here.

Unchain the bike for Ride to Work Day next Wednesday 12 October

If you work from home - I do, a lot of the time, Melbourne Bike Share are giving the chance to try out the new bike share bikes for free between 6 am and midday on the 12th October. If you are a regular commuter rider, join the Ride2Work Day community breakfast at Federation Square. Ride to Work day is not just about getting to work - its about being part of the growing bike riding community.

A place from which to watch the world go by

The space around Port Melbourne Uniting Church is being reshaped to create a green quiet space alongside the productive vegetable garden. There will be new and safer pathways, a colourful wave wall, places to sit in sun or shade and plants of different colours and textures including some fruit trees. The paths will include inlays representing water flowing to the Bay and a small labyrinth walk for personal meditation and prayer. The church congregation invites you to use the space as a place to rest, reflect, meet friends or just watch the world go by.

Melbourne Main Sewer and the Railway Reserves

The Melbourne Water Main Sewer works have necessitated another intrusion into the Railway Reserves near North Port. The pedestrian/bike path has been diverted and the park will be re-instated when the work is complete. The Chinese Elms, which were just looking etablished, are being stored in the compound. The most recent newsletter from the project is available here.

What the storms brought in

Today we* investigated the raingardens in Dow St and the various tide lines to see what last week's storm had brought in - a predictable trail of packaging and fragments of plastic. The raingardens trap small items of litter such as all these cigarette butts so they don't ever get to the beach. The difference on the beach between those stormwater outlets with and without the raingarden treatment was very obvious. [* that was me and other 3207 Beach Patrollers]