Further direction on the draft Port Melbourne Urban Design Framework

All councillors supported the following resolution this evening..
That Council 2.1 Receives and considers all submissions on the draft Port Melbourne Urban Design Framework. 2.2 Ackowledges the covenants and current planning controls affecting the site at 1 - 7 Waterfront Place. 2.3 Undertakes further strategic work in accordance with the resolution of 13 March 2012 to review the draft UDF, in particular the draft Vision and Principles and the Waterfront Place Precinct section. 2.4 In preparation for the possibility that the covenants are varied, removed or deemed not applicable, undertakes further strategic work in accordance with the resolution of 13 March 2012 to prepare detailed design guidelines for the porperty located at 1-7 Waterfront Place that will reflect the Waterfront Place Beacon Cover Design Guidelines October 2009 [MGS Architects 2009] and in particular will not exeed the recommended building envelope and height controls. 2.5 Acknowledges that the detailed design guidelines will inform the review of the Waterfront Place Precinct. 2.6 Reaffirms the request that a report be provided to Council in April detailing the proposed process for engaging with the community in the preparation of revised Waterfront precinct and site guidelines, including the opportunity for stakeholder forums with representation to include community groups, the Port of Melbourne Corporation, the business association, local business operators, Yarra Trams and the owners of the freehold sites.
Commentary and summary: The essence of this resolution is that while the covenants and the planning controls governing the Beacon Cove development remain in place they are to be respected. However, in the event that the covenants are varied, removed or deemed not applicable' [see 2.4] Council's position is that adopted in October 2009 based on the report of MGS Architects. All future work in the precinct is to be guided by this report.

Submissions to draft Port Melbourne UDF to be heard tomorrow

The Council will hear submissions on the draft Port Melbourne Urban Design Framework tomorrow evening at St Kilda, starting at 6 pm. The Council report, with attachments summarising written submissions received, is available here.

draft Port Melbourne Urban Design Framework - press pause

Press the pause button
Submissions close today. But I don't need to wait till they've all been collated to know the issues raised by the community. Therefore, on Tuesday evening at the Council meeting to be held in Port Melbourne, I will put a motion before my fellow councillors. The motion will ask for Council to look more deeply into the issues raised in the consultation period. The issues have come up again and again: traffic, valued views and the future of 1 - 11 Waterfront Place. The consultation has confirmed how deeply people feel and care about this part of Port Melbourne.
The motion will ask that Council further investigates issues raised through the consultation including [but not only]:

**** taking a more detailed look at the whole Waterfront Place area - traffic movements and circulation, views, and how that all important community connection can be supported and strengthened through any improvements to the public spaces in the area ****the planning controls, planning history and relevant covenants for the site at 1 - 11 Waterfront Place ****detailed design guidelines for the site at 1 - 11 Waterfront Place - including [but again not limited to] the interface with Beach St and Park Square, shadowing and traffic.

I will move that Council continue to involve the community - as well as Yarra Trams, the Port of Melbourne Corporation and the Traders' Association - in these important discussions. I refer you to the full Notice of Motion, available here. The Notice of Motion is on p15. You can also follow links on the right hand side of Port Focus to Council meeting and agendas.

draft Urban Design Framework - further issues at Waterfront Place

The tram stop: Anyone returning home on the 109 would know this scenario - do you get off on the north side of Beach St and save about 1 minute, or do you wait until the city bound tram has left the tram stop and arrive comfortably at the terminus? People getting off the tram cross the path of north/south cyclists heading to and from the Bay trail in rush hour hurry. These issues are compounded when cruise ships are in. At some point in the future, it will likely be necessary to enable the trams to pass each other at the terminus, and to improve the interaction place between cyclists and tram passengers through a more spacious design. By the way, do you know you can follow tram 109 on twitter @tram109? I enjoy the voice of @tram109.

draft Port Melbourne Urban Design Framework - the Promenade

The draft Port Melbourne Urban Design Framework is the only possible topic for this evening. Many, many people came to talk with councillors and staff about the draft UDF. In addition to concerns about 1 - 11 Waterfront Place, issues about the Promenade were once again emphatically made. Even though you are probably quite familiar with the area, these photographs illustrate some of the highs and lows of the Promenade. It is a fantastic place to view the cruise ships. However, the steps present a great problem for people with prams, wheelchairs or walkers. At present, the only accessible path is the bike path. Conflict between cyclists and pedestrians is the result. The Beacon Cove towers exit directly onto the bike path creating further conflict points. Council is soon to assume responsibility for the remaining assets at Beacon Cove when I hope these matters can be resolved. While it appears straightforward at first glance, it isn't. The planter beds on the path are part of the structure of the supporting revetement and can't be moved. The cycle path is narrower than current expectations for shared paths. Also there is limited width between the property boundary and the water's edge to add any space.

Draft Port Melbourne Waterfront UDF 2: Waterfront Place

Today - with two cruise ships and the Spirit of Tasmania at Station Pier - was a good opportunity to observe Waterfront Place. The logistics of moving several thousand people in and out of the precinct efficiently is managed impressively by the Port of Melbourne Corporation but the ripples still spread outwards into the wider Port Melbourne. These pictures show some of the features of Waterfront Place that are discussed in the UDF. The UDF wonders whether this space could be configured differently to give a better experience.The median between the carparks is wide but not very useable - could the space be better used on either side? A long and pretty uninteresting walk between tram stop and Station Pier - bounded by the TT Lines carpark chain mesh fence
Poor presentation of restaurants to visitors and Waterfront Place. Relatively narrow, ungenerous footpaths alongside the restaurants.

Long day

I know its a beautiful evening, but it was a beautiful morning too a long time ago this morning when I took this photo. I love that there is a view at the end of the north south streets in Port Melbourne. In discussions about the Port Melbourne Waterfront Urban Design Framework, people often raised concerns about traffic movements around the Beach St/Waterfront Place area associated with cruise ship and TT Lines shipping. However, after giving the matter consideration, people generally agreed that the presence of shipping at Station Pier is what makes Port Melbourne Port Melbourne. Therefore, those traffic impacts need to be managed - rather than attempting to re-locate shipping [even if that were possible].