Recent arrival at the Port of Melbourne

While posting the most recent item on Port Futures, I noticed a video on the Department of Transport website showing the arrival of one of the new trains through the Port of Melbourne.

Port Futures: what it says about Webb Dock

Tim Pallas, Minister for Roads and Ports launched Port Futures a future framework for all Victorian ports on Friday 27 August. Extracts of interest for Sandridge residents are given below:
"Key Actions

• consider bringing forward the development of an initial module of terminal capacity at Webb Dock of up to one million TEU*, subject to a satisfactory business case and all necessary government aprpovals; (the minister thought this could take about 4 years)


• maintain the existing planning reservation for the Webb Dock Rail Link [WDRL] for future consideration" [see p27]

Port Futures outlines why the return of rail would not be supported at this stage:

"Development at Webb Dock for large scale container handling has previously been predicated on the reconnection of the Webb Dock Rail Link. However it is apparent that a rail connection to Webb Dock would not be commerically or economically viable for an early stage container terminal development at Webb Dock.

Such a link would only service the relatively small volumes of interstate [Adelaide] and regional export rail freight. It could not, at this stage service the much larger metropolitan freight distribution task, as no freight from the port is currently distributed to metropolitan Melbourne by rail. For metropolitan freight, the link would only connect Webb Dock to the Dynon rail terminal and trucks would still have to pick up or drop off at this already congested central location for transport to destinations within the metroplitan area.

Connection of Webb Dock by rail could be considered in the future as part of a second stage of stevedore terminal development, should this be determined to be the preferrred location for provision of additonal capaicty tint he medium to longer term." [for more go to p21]

* twenty foot equivalent unit

To read more go to www.transport.vic.gov.au

Another drama off Bay St

Barely two weeks after the episode of the concrete balcony suspended from Bianca over the 1860s heritage listed shop (see post of August 7th), police and the fire brigade were in attendance in Dow St when an electricity sub-station in the Bayview apartments apparently caught fire.

VCAT decision on 18 Lyons St

This is an extract from a VCAT decision on 18 Lyons St, one street back from Bay St, for a three storey development that will replace this single storey house. The rationale for the member's decision is given below.

• 'Because 18 Lyons Street is within the Bay Street neighbourhood, it is also subject to the opportunities and constraints of being adjacent to an activity centre. The opportunities are all the shops, restaurants and other community facilities available to the occupiers of the site. The constraints are that the same level of amenity as exists further in the hinterland of the shopping centre cannot be expected to be maintained on this site in this street. It is logical to extend this to intensity of development. Overall, the policies of Urban Consolidation in the planning scheme promote more intensive developments close to activity centres.


• I believe that the overall urban consolidation policies certainly hold more weight here than the local policy expectations. That does not mean that there should be encouragement of major intensification of this seemingly highly liveable enclave, but it should be recognised that there would be an intensification of development such as is proposed for this particular site.


• The fact that this is a three storey building is not fatal as there are a number of three and four storey buildings within the residential and commercial enclave. The fact is that this has been designed with greater awareness of the need to protect amenity than the others.


• In relation to Rescode, just because the proposal does not comply with a number of standards does not mean that it is unacceptable. Conditions being developed by the parties will determine further changes that need to be made to this decision


• Respect does not mean more of the same. In my view, this proposal respects the wider neighbourhood character that I have described in this decision'

The Tribunal directed that the overall building height be reduced by 350mm from 9.25m to 8.9m, incorporating first and second floor level ceiling heights of 2.55m and 2.4m respectively;

Save Our Soles

at Gasworks Arts Park
The text says
'These are the surviving shoes of 'dog poo incidents'. To stop innocent shoes being cut down in their prime, please pick up after your dog.'

Did you know that

Recycling rates per capita in Port Phillip reached 40.82% in 2008/09, up from 39% the previous year, and 31% a decade ago.

Waste generation rates were 211kg, 35kg less than in 1997/98.

What is your view on this performance?

Come in the gate and get close to the game

The redevelopment of North Port Oval is proceeding well with architects appointed. This is a joint project of the Port Melbourne Football Club, Sport and Recreation Victoria, the AFL and the City of Port Phillip.

The Council is interested to see the redevelopment further strengthen the connection between the club and the community.

The restoration of the Goss Stand is also a priority.

There are only a few more games before the finals so come down to see the Boroughs play Sandringham tomorrow Saturday 22nd at 1.10