Port Focus

Port will be lively today

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:33:00 +0000

Beach tennis championships opposite the London, and the Piers Festival on Station and Princes Pier - celebrating their role in our multicultural story.

Post Australia Day headache

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:00 +0000

Sadly, Australia Day revellers trashed some of our beaches and parks yesterday. South Beach, the St Kilda Botanical Gardens and Elwood were the worst affected. South Beach had to be closed temporarily to clean up the debris which included large amounts of broken glass. With more hot weather expected today, these very busy areas were prioritised for clean up today. I am reminded of the message given by Aunty Carolyn Briggs at yesterday's Australia Day citizenship ceremony: 'Bunjil asked visitors not to harm the land or the children of the land'.

Australia Day in Port Melbourne 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:21:00 +0000

Hail the bus

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:36:00 +0000

The City of Port Phillip hosts a citizenship ceremony in the very beautiful St Kilda Botanic Gardens on Australia Day each year. Finding myself in St Kilda with no bike, I saw a 'Hail the Bus' sign outside Luna Park. Shortly after, the 606 came by and hail the bus I did - only to find driver Frank at the wheel. Frank is the cheeriest bus driver you will ever find. I'm sorry its such a poor picture but I wanted to introduce him to you. He says numbers are picking up on the 606 but still a bit down on what they'd hoped. When school goes back the numbers will likely pick up. Here is the timetable.

Conversations on the 109

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:13:00 +0000

Had the best journey home from town today on the 109. I sat next to Margaret Bride from the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society who is writing a history of Port Melbourne. At present her head is full of her research on education - but most particularly the range of adult education options people pursued for self improvement in Port Melbourne in the late nineteenth century. This led on to discussion about the strength of the temperance movement, women's suffrage and radicalism and the connections between them. The man sitting opposite picked up on the conversation and soon a woman visiting Port Melbourne from Paris was asking more about the history of Port Melbourne. The tram was full of cruise ship passengers in end of day chatter returning to the ship for the evening.

'Taking tennis to the beach'

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:31:00 +0000

Had enough of the Australian Open? Has your favourite player bowed out? All the more reason to head down to the 6th Australian Beach Tennis Championships this Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January from 9 to 4. Beach tennis is brought to Port Melbourne by Paul Mapley. He is wholeheartedly committed to the Porrt Melbourne community and health oriented local business. On the beach next to the TT Lines carpark walkway

Counting the comings and goings at Waterfront Place

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:30:00 +0000

Traffic counts were commissioned around the Port Melbourne Waterfront yesterday by the Port of Melbourne Corporation. People in hi viz vests were on every corner with clipboards in hand. The purpose of the counts is to understand in great detail the number and nature of traffic movements in the precinct. It was a good day for it - hot weather always brings many other visitors to the precinct - in cars and on foot. By late [very hot] afternoon when I passed, this traffic counter at the exit from the TT Lines carpark had melted. The findings of this study will be highly relevant to the draft Port Melbourne Urban Design Framework and ongoing work between the PoMC and the City of Port Phillip to minimise the impact of shipping related traffic on the surrounding community.

Seeking out shade

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:11:00 +0000

All along the foreshore path today people sought out the shade of the palm trees. The draft Port Melbourne Urban Design Framework [p28, p35] proposes to increase shade along Beach St between Bay St and Waterfront Place by planting more trees to create a more comfortable environment.

Talking tennis

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Did you know that the tennis courts have not always been in their present location off Swallow St, in Morris Reserve. They used to be at Garden City Reserve. The courts were built in response to the requests of the Garden City Progress Association for sporting facilities for the residents of the newly built Bank Houses. The first court was opened in 1931 and the second some years later when more funds became available. The courts remained in use for several decades until superseded by the current courts with more modern facilities. Apparently, the Garden City courts were very windy.[source: Garden City Reserve History prepared for the City of Port Phillip, Heritage Alliance 2005] The Port Melbourne Tennis Club welcomes players of all ages and abilities.

The Piers Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:51:00 +0000

By now, you will have heard about The Piers Festival that is happening on 28 January. The last time that a celebratory event was held at Princes Pier was in 1988 for the Bicentenary - now 24 years ago. On that significant occasion, tall ships from around the world berthed at Princes Pier. On the 28th, from 1 pm, Princes Pier will come to life with food and crafts from around the world, roving entertainers, storytelling and boardings on the historic tall ship Enterprize. Station Pier won't be closed. It will be open to the Immigration Museum's display on the history of Station Pier, photographs by Georgia Metaxas of the Blessing of the Waters and more. But most exciting of all will be the stories that will emerge ... Port Melbourne locals will appreciate the thoughtfulness of the brochure: 'Parking in surrounding streets is very limited. Catch the No 109 Lightrail tram to Port Melbourne'.

'The Piers Festival welcomes all to celebrate migration and cultural diversity across the two historic landmarks.'

Walking to School

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:37:00 +0000

A raised yellow crossing is being installed at Clark St, as it enters busy Graham St, for the start of the Port Primary School year. This work arose from discussions with the School about safety concerns that discourage walking. We are also getting rid of a u-turn opportunity that contributed to the confusion by removing a crossover outside the main school gate in Clark St. The benefits of walking to school are not only physical, as Ruth Quibell discusses in her article in the Age yesterday.

Port Melbourne Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:16:00 +0000

What else to talk about but the weather. What else to do but cool off at Port Melbourne Beach. It reached 34.3 degrees at 4.52 pm.

The builders are back

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:56:00 +0000

The cranes cranked up again today after a most welcome summer break. Just a reminder about the hours that construction is permitted: Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm, and Saturdays 9am to 3pm. Council operates an out-of-hours service from 9209 6777 and can always be reached via assist@portphillip.vic.gov.au if you suspect a breach of these conditions.

Remembering Captain Albert Jacka VC who died on 17 January 1932

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 06:48:00 +0000

Albert Jacka was the first Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War 1. Descendants of Albert Jacka [pictured here] and of the 14th Battalion, as well as people interested in his life, gathered today at St Kilda Cemetery to commemorate his life and service. Jacka returned to Australia at Port Melbourne on board the SS Euripides on 20 October 1919. The Advertiser reported that 'the people pelted Captain Jacka with flowers, swarmed over his motor car, breaking the hood and rendering the springs so flat that the wheels jammed against the mudguards and the car could not be moved.* Such was the public admiration for the man. Jacka later became a councillor of St Kilda and was mayor in 1930. Ponder photographs of Jacka online here. *The Advertiser, Tuesday 21 October, 1919

Summer by the Sea

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:58:00 +0000

photos Lyn Allison

Some people find the number of spinifex seed heads rolling through the streets of Port Melbourne pesky, like autumn leaves. I enjoy all the attributes of this tough coastal grass, but I am in awe of what it does for our foreshore. Spinifex leaves and runners are covered in rough hairs. Beach sand lodges in and around them, and in this way new dunes form. It helps to hold our beaches in place. Summer by the Sea offers free and fanatastic opportunities for getting to know more about our coastal and marine environment both on land and in the water. Locally, there is fishing, kayaking and guided walks with local expert Neil Blake - but check out the programme now as there is only about 10 days to go.

Birdwalk

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:21:00 +0000

Enjoy some bush in the city this Sunday. Local bird expert, Andrew McCutcheon* from Earthcare, will guide people around Westgate Park to learn about the birds that make the Park home, and those that stop over in their journey around the globe. Bring binoculars if you have a pair. Even if you can't come, take a look at the the front page of Friends of Westgate Park's website and be deeply informed and inspired by the photographs of the River Red Gum in all its manifestations - flower, seed, leaf and tree. Birdwalk starts at 10 am on Sunday 15 January for 1.5 hours starting from the Westgate Park carpark off Todd Road Mel 56F1. *thanks to Andrew for the picture of the superb fairy wren.

More weather

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:56:00 +0000

Just as I finessed my 40 degree defying garden shade arrangements, the temperature plunged. Knowing that a power surge had wreaked havoc on computers at the Port Melbourne Town Hall on Christmas Day, I turned off and disconnected the computer during this morning's storm. The Council has updated its webpages on safety and emergency preparedness. You might want to bookmark them. Palm fronds were strewn through Edwards Park this evening.

First steps taken towards new Liardet centre

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:53:00 +0000

The site for the Liardet St Family and Children's Centre is being prepared. Trees to be kept have been clearly marked with red tape as described in the tree management fact sheet. Other trees have been removed.

Weather events

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:12:00 +0000

Take a break and that's when all the action happens - a storm of great severity on Christmas Day followed by 40 degrees on the 2 January public holiday. The river conveyed that stormwater and all that it contained into the Bay and onto Port Melbourne and Sandridge Beach. Extremely disappointing that conditions for swimming have been so poor through the peak holiday period. Remember to check the EPA Beach Report if you're thinking about a swim.

Port Focus review of 2011: 6 of 6

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:04:00 +0000

Sandridge house - my pick for best dressed Christmas house in Port

Wrapping up 2011: I was most pleased with the Sandridge Beach foreshore project. Sandridge residents had felt neglected for many years. The new lights, the pedestrian and cycle path, and landscaping provide the framework for ongoing improvement. Pathways at Perce White Reserve have been clarified, significant vegetation protected and the linkages to the Webb Dock path strengthened. I am also pleased with the Greening Port Phillip tree strategy. For the first time since I have been on Council, we have a clear and soundly based forward plan for tree planting with the aim of achieving an even tree cover across Port Phillip over time. Tracey Pahor, PhD student, was a constant Port companion throughout 2011 - actively present wherever people gather - investigating Port Melbourne: Should we call it a community? It has been great having her around. Thanks to all the community organisations and people who work formally and informally to make Port Melbourne such a good place to live. Wishing you well for Christmas and the New Year. I am taking a break from Port Focus and will resume with a summer posting schedule on Monday 9 January 2012.

Port Focus review of 2011: 5 of 6

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:56:00 +0000

Planning and development: 2011 was an intensive year for development in the area south of Graham St - known in planning speak as the Mixed Use Area. Projects named Armada, Waterside, Luur, 101 Bay St, Iconica and 86 Dow St are at various stages of construction. This has made life very difficult for residents in Nott and Dow Streets. Planning permits were approved for two further six level developments in Nott St between Rouse and Beach St. It is important to note that Port Melbourne has some of the strictest planning controls in Melbourne, being one of the few places where absolute, rather than preferred, maximum heights apply in an area designated for residential growth. To balance the more intense development in this area, the first stage of the Rouse St [west] project introduced more trees and landscaping into the street. All the streets south of Graham St are covered by a developer contribution and landscape plan which was also reviewed and updated this year. These plans commit Council and developers to allocate investment to ensure that over a period of time all those streets will be upgraded to create a better residential environment. North of Graham St, the heritage planning controls were reviewed this year to give them an even sounder basis for planning decision making at Council and at VCAT. Conversations took place througout the year about the Port Melbourne Waterfront with the draft Urban Design Framework released for public comment to the end of February.

Port Focus review of 2011: 4 of 6

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:51:00 +0000

On for young and old: Two especially significant projects for our community reached critical decision points in 2011. A contract has been awarded for the construction of the Liardet St Family and Children's Centre which will provide 135 licensed childcare places. The former St Vincents Boys Home site has been made available to Claremont SouthPort Aged Care Ltd for the construction of a high care aged care facility. This will add 30 beds to the existing 60 currently at SouthPort Community Residential Home. The search for a site has been 'long and arduous' - since 2005 at least. Albert Park College opened to its first cohort of students in 2011 and has just completed an outstanding year under the leadership of Principal Steve Cook. Port Melbourne Primary has gone from being a shrinking school in the early 2000s to a school under signficant pressure from growth. The need for a new primary school is obvious.

Council notes 3: Liardet Street Family and Children's Centre gets the go ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:38:00 +0000

This evening Council met and resolved to award a contract to Core Properties Pty Ltd 'to provide the construction of Liardet Street Family and Children's Centre and notes that the contract sum [excluding demolition] is $4,371,100 exclusive of GST together with an additional provisional allowance of $624,550 exclusive of GST for soil remediation'. For the full report click here or go to Council meetings and agendas on the right hand menu. The buildings on site are likely to be demolished in January. The exact date has yet to be determined.

Port Focus review of 2011: 3 of 6

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:48:00 +0000

Sport and recreation: 2011 - the year the Borough won the flag! The year was also notable for the massive growth in junior sport. The Fishermens Bend Gymnastics Club maintains a waiting list, Port Melbourne Cricket Club now runs two junior programs and has 90 Milo kids. Junior soccer is going through the roof and the Port Melbourne Life Saving Club offers a full and flourishing Nippers programme. Recognising the multiple benefits of walking and riding, Council is supporting safer access to Port Melbourne Primary through a range of interventions around the school. Council's Playspace Strategy, adopted this year, responds to shrinking backyards and more children living in apartments, by planning for parks that provide for the experiences and activity that might once have happened at home - such as contact with nature. A perimeter track was put into Murphy's Reserve to encourage casual walkers/joggers who are not part of sporting clubs to use this amazing open space. Meanwhile, more exercise is pobably undertaken on the foreshore path than on any sporting field and provides a magnificent opportunity for exercising with a view.

Port Focus review of 2011: 2 of 6

noreply@blogger.com (Janet Bolitho) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:31:00 +0000

A wet year: It rained more often than in previous years. 804 mm of rain has been recorded to 20 December - the biggest annual figure since 1993. 105 mm fell overnight on February 4/5 which caused localised flooding. The rain has made our parks look lush and helped the many new street trees off to a good start. Rain also brought stormwater and associated litter onto our beaches. 3207 Beach Patrol consolidated this year with monthly group cleans over the summer. At the end of 2011, there is a greater presence in the landscape of measures to slow and cleanse stormwater as it makes its way out into Port Phillip Bay. Streetscape works, such as in Station St, now divert stormwater onto the large trees.