After hoons took over Marine Parade in January 2021, Council promised to act, but solutions to prevent hoon driving may not be available in time for summer.

Hoon driving is an unfortunate and frequent occurrence along Port Phillip's foreshore, especially in summer. From St Kilda to Port Melbourne, residents have reported hoon driving, antisocial behaviour, violence, excessive noise, and property damage. The dangerous driving has compromised the safety of pedestrians and other vehicles, and has had a detrimental impact on residents and on community safety.

The most notable recent example was in January 2021. St Kilda witnessed hundreds of people gathering on Marine Pde outside the BP service station to watch burnouts. The crowd quickly turned violent with bottles and rocks being thrown including at a police car trying to break up the group. Police later raided homes from Dandenong to Hillside suburbs, arresting 14 people and seizing 12 cars.

Video footage from the St Kilda hoon driving incident can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/NrmLTPrZ7Ck 

At the time, Port Phillip Council promised to help prevent similar episodes by deploying CCTV cameras for police use. A community petition was presented to Council in February, and Council decided to seek funding from State Government, in a joint application with Port Phillip Police, for the purchase of a mobile CCTV camera. Council also applied to the Department of Transport to have six fixed cameras installed.

In June, the state government rejected the application, so Council borrowed and trialled the City of Stonnington’s camera (pictured) which was found to be effective in assisting police to identify, locate, and respond to hooning. Council submitted a grant application to the Federal Government in August, but the outcome of the grant application will not be known until October.

The Port Melbourne Road Safety Group (PMRSG), concerned about the lack of progress, presented another petition to Council in August, and at the September 15 Council meeting the petition was considered. 7 of 9 councillors voted for better surveillance, reduced speed limits, physical barriers, new signs and parking restrictions.

FOR: Crs Crawford, Cunsolo, Bond, Sirakoff, Martin, Pearl and Clark
AGAINST: Crs Baxter and Copsey

Two Councillors voted against the motion stating different reasons for their vote. Cr Copsey did not want to spend the money. Cr Baxter cited many reasons including: “nobody else in Port Phillip has even told us what they think that they could be surveilled anywhere, anytime by a mobile piece of equipment" and “we can’t give police everything they want”.

Conversely, Cr Clark supported this motion, stating this issue had been raised many times by residents, councillors and police over the past year, and the community was tired of waiting for action as summer approaches again. Cr Pearl thanked the police for their service to the local community, and local community groups for promoting mobile CCTV to reduce hoon driving and anti-social activity. He acknowledged this is not council's primary function but stated that if the community is asking Council to look at this issue then Council should partner with state government and police to deliver the much needed equipment.

A mobile CCTV trailer would cost $117,120, with an additional $5,000 per annum required for maintenance, insurance, registration, and data costs. This amount would be a rounding error in the City of Port Phillip budget, yet make an enormous difference to the local community and improve community safety.

The City of Melbourne operate a Safe Cities Camera Program which involves 65 CCTV cameras with an additional 315 cameras funded by state government after the Bourke St incident in 2017. City of Melbourne employs specially trained security contractors to monitor the cameras, record incidents and pass information onto police. They also operate a security patrol vehicle that is fitted with 360 degree CCTV surveillance cameras on weekend nights.

Council has dithered on this issue since the events of last summer. A recent interview of Mayor Louise Crawford with ABC’s Virginia Trioli confirmed that Council has no definitive plan to stop hooning this summer, despite it being debated in chambers 8 months ago. No-one wants to see more hoon driving along Marine Parade this summer, and no one wants pedestrians and the community to be put at risk. With hindsight, Council should have budgeted for the acquisition of a mobile CCTV camera given the risk that the grant applications failing.

It is clear most councillors are supportive of community safety and neighbourhood amenity, Residents should demand that Council purchase a mobile CCTV if the Federal Government rejects Council’s application, so that this summer, our roads can be a safe place for our community to unwind after a tough year for everyone.

Image of the City of Stonnington and Victoria Police mobile CCTV trailer:
https://sen.news/2019/10/11/city-of-stonnington-seeks-cctv-access-control-services/city-of-stonnington-mobile-cctv-trailer/ 

Victorians should brace for blackouts this summer due to the Andrews Labor Government’s mismanagement of our energy system according to the Australian Energy Market Operator.

In its Statement of Opportunities (SOO) report, AEMO predicts that ongoing risks to the availability of Yallourn Power Station in Victoria will“significantly affect” its ability to meet demand from Victorian consumers, with up to 500,000 households at risk of being without power during an extreme weather event this summer.

In worrying confirmation of Labor’s Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio’s prediction that“the system’s gonna collapse”, the SOO finds that the unreliability of Victoria’s power will immediately exceed AEMO standards once Yallourn is retired in just seven short years.

Despite the Andrews Labor Government’s assurances that batteries will help plug Victoria’s looming energy shortfall, the likelihood of Labor’s much-touted 350 MW battery at Jeeralang actually being built is not sufficient for it to be factored into Victoria’s future energy mix. AEMO has also reiterated that the“scale of the damage” and “impact on commissioning schedules” caused by the blaze which engulfed Labor’s Big Battery is yet to be determined.

The Liberal Nationals have now twicecalled on the Andrews Labor Government to guarantee that repairs and investigations into the Big Battery blaze will be finalised prior to summer and demanded that investigations be open and transparent for the benefit of all Victorians.

Added to Labor’s litany of broken promises is a finding that the state’s“power system is also becoming more exposed to extreme weather events that could lead to supply scarcity” – when as far back as 2016, the Andrews Labor Government committed to“Developing a diverse and distributed energy system that provides Victorians with energy security in the face of extreme weather events.”

Where the Andrews Labor Government has failed, a Liberal Nationals Government will succeed in delivering renewable, reliable, and affordable power to all Victorians.

Statement issued by
Brad Rowswell
Member for Sandringham

01 Jul 21

Publisher 90

On 24 June, the Port Phillip Planning Committee released their 97-page report regarding an application for the construction of a 10 story building with 119 apartments, retail shops including food and drink premises, a wellness centre, gymnasium and a reduction in car parking requirements. The location at 1-7 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne, has significant Beach Street frontage.

The report makes for interesting reading for the breadth of considerations, objections and Planning Officer’s responses and conclusion methodology. I shall leave it to you, the reader - who is likely local to this development - to draw your own conclusions regarding two matters that stand out:

• The Planning Officer's conclusion with respect to parking: and
• The Planning Officer's process for conclusion with respect to shadows.

Parking

The report states: “The development is not considered to result in a significant impact upon the road network. The development would provide parking spaces in excess of the requirements of the Planning Scheme. However, due to the way parking would be allocated (no parking allocated to customers of the commercial uses), a parking waiver is sought for the customer component of the parking requirements. The parking waiver is well justified and not considered to result in any undue offsite impacts.” 2.10, page 2

After reading this report, I visited Bay St, Port Melbourne. Bay St is one of jewels of Port Melbourne, with a bustling retail trade. It is very clear that the retail shops on Bay St do require car parking spots for their customers, and due to the strip's popularity, it can sometimes be difficult to find a car parking spot.

It is difficult to reconcile the council's position that retail facilities at Waterfront Place do not require additional car parking (page 49). The report asserts that the retail outlets will only service users who are “typically be in the area already, rather than driving to the Site”. Does this mean walking distance from their home? One must wonder if the future retail tenants will be willing to pay significant commercial rents in an area that only services the population in the building and residents within walking distance. Hopefully, this will not result in untenanted retail shops which will bring a ghost town feel to this new development.

It is also puzzling that council asserts that no visitors parking permits will be required and thus will not be available to any of the 119 dwellings (page 15 Permit Notes): "The owners and occupiers of the new dwellings allowed by this permit will not be eligible for Council resident or visitor parking permits."

Furthermore, and more importantly, it seems the developer is not required to make provision for visitor parking. One can only assume the Planning Officer is of the opinion that all residents will have very limited social life and no carers tending to their needs.

Shadows

The requirement for this building is that "Development should minimise overshadowing beyond the southern kerb line of Waterfront." (Requirement B8 page 75).

The Planning Officer's response to the proposed design is:

• "A detailed assessment in terms of winter shadows has been provided at section 13.4 of the Report; ultimately, they are considered to be acceptable." (page 52)

• Firstly, it is noted that the requirement is discretionary, stating that development should minimise overshadowing. Secondly, whether shadows are ‘minimised’, is ultimately a matter of judgement. It is clear, based on the planning controls, that a 10 storey development which delivers medium to high density housing has been contemplated for the Site, it is within this context that the term ‘minimised’ must be viewed.  (B8, page 70-71)

• Furthermore, it must be acknowledged that some level of shadows are inevitable from any development, particularly one of 10 storeys in height  (B8, page 70-71)

To this observer, the reasoning offered by the Planning Officer (in bold) does not contribute to the veracity of conclusion reached by the Planning Officer.

As is usual with planning applications, often the most sensible observations come from the general public. One astute objector responded: “...Reiterated concerns relating to winter shadows. In addition, bike and pedestrian paths along Waterfront Place are predominantly in shadow between 9 am and 3 pm at the June solstice, this is not consistent with the requirements of the DDO.  …" (Public Notification/Objections, page 52)

So what did the Planning Officer recommend?

Planning Officer's Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION PART A, page 3

"3.2 That the Responsible Authority, having caused the application to be advertised and having received and noted the objections, issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit."

"3.3 That a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit be issued for the use and development of the land, to carry out works and construct a 10 storey mixed use building over two basement levels, in a shared podium and two tower arrangement, comprising dwellings, retail (shop, food and drink premises, wellness centre), a restricted recreation facility (gymnasium) and a reduction in car parking requirements at 1 & 7 Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne."

The recommendation leaves one scratching one's head, wondering whether common sense has left council buildings. I parked my car outside the future site of 1-7 Waterfront Place, and had one final bask in the sunlight, before both the carpark becomes unavailable, and the sun is blocked out by yet another oversized development lining Melbourne's prime real estate.

Note: Page references cite PDF page numbers, not page numbers displayed lower right in document.

Author's Note: The Planning Officer's responses cited and referenced above are but only a subset of their considerations detailed in the 97 page report.

Did you know the ball with which one bowls in lawn bowls is “biased”. This means one side is flattened. As if life isn't hard enough!

The nuance of the physics in this distributed weight anomaly is beyond this author. But the result is that the bowl follows a curved horizontal trajectory when rolled, something like the curve of a banana laying down. 

Could it be that the inventor of bowls always bowled off to one side and so invented a non-spherical ball (termed bowl) to compensate? Subsequently, all those that followed had to deal with this. The ever dependable Encyclopedia Britannica informed me that a form of bowls was played in ancient Egypt. Moving forward a millennia or two, the ruling body of today's form of lawn bowls - the International Bowling Board - was founded in 1905. 

But back to the balls, or in this case the bowls. The concept of a biased bowl leaves this author somewhat discombobulated. Can you imagine the same physics being applied to ten pin bowling? The lanes would have to be three times wider. What about playing golf with a ball that is biased. One spends too much time looking for a ball the size of your eye as it is - whereas in squash one spends time avoiding being hit in the eye with a ball just the right size to replace it.

Some counties in England play a variation named Crown Green Bowls. In this version, a square area with a raised hump (aka crown) is located in the centre 

of the green. If that doesn’t add sufficient challenge, the surface of the green can also be uneven – just for a little more random excitement. At least here in AUS our greens are flat, true and generally surfaced with beautifully manicured grass or Astro turf. I must say the latter sounds a little like something the Jetsons would be using to play this game.

Whatever they were thinking (or drinking) when the governing body decided the rules, the result is a sport which is not only highly enjoyable but also very social. I tried my luck at bowls as did my children. We found ourselves engaged in what was for us initially a game of chance, largely due to the fact we had no skill in this discipline. But it was great fun from the first bowl to the last. And social! I cannot think of another ball game where one can equally enjoy the social aspect throughout the experience as well as the sporting competition.

All in all, can I recommend bowls to others? You bet! Would I recommend bowls as a family activity? You bet! So armed with this considered research, why not pick up the phone, call your local Darebin City Bowls Club on 9480 1331.and give the casual “Barefoot Bowls” a try.

https://darebincity.bowls.com.au/

The Darebin City Bowls Club is located in the John Cain Reserve at 281 Darebin Rd, Thornbury VIC 3071.

At the Council Meeting on 1 September 2021 Council voted unanimously to proceed with a trial of a ‘kerb charging’ permit for residents with no off-street car parking to install electric vehicle chargers on Council land, for example nature strips. 

Port Phillip Council will now trial a ‘Kerb Charging Permit’ for residents and businesses with no off-street parking to install electric vehicle chargers on Council land. Council have authorised a trial of ‘Kerb Charging Permit’ to up to ten properties on a rolling six-month basis, up to a maximum permit period of 31 December 2023. At the conclusion of the first six months, Council will review the progress of the trial to help shape future policy direction in this area. 

The permit application fee is $124 and the annual renewal fee is $100 per year. The cost of installation will be at the expense of the permit holders and is likely to be in the region of $4,000 to $5,500 depending on constructions requirements and the commercial supplier. Details of the Kerb Charging Facility Application Guidelines can be found on the City of Port Phillip website: https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/media/rewjj1za/11-1-att-1-electric-vehicle-charging-permit-application-guidelines.pdf

Ratepayers Associations: a good idea back in 1888 and a good idea now

It’s Sat 21 Jan 1888 and we're reading The Sydney Morning Herald:
A fairly well attended meeting of the ratepayers of the borough of Randwick was held in the Town Hall, Randwick, last evening for the purpose of taking steps to form a ratepayers' association within the borough. Mr. P. R. Larkin, in the absence of Mr. B. Hogan, was voted to the chair. An apology was received from Mr. Alfred Allen, M.L.A., regretting his inability to be present. Mr. George Gale was called on to move the first resolution, and in doing so said he believed that such an association as it was proposed to organise would result in a great amount of good to the borough, as it would lighten the amount of work to be done by the aldermen, and would naturally assist them in the discharge of their duties. Its existence would strengthen the hands of the council, and would have the effect of causing the money of the municipality to be rightly handled and fairly distributed. He hoped that the operations of the association would at no time grate against the feelings of the aldermen, but that the council and the association would work in harmony with each other. He concluded by proposing "That a Ratepayers Association he formed," which was seconded by Mr. Isaac Hodgson, and supported by Messrs. George Wall and George Young (Balmain), and carried without dissent.

The meeting then resolved itself into a committee of the whole to discuss rules, a code of which was unanimously adopted. The public meeting was subsequently resumed and the election of officers proceeded with which resulted as follows:-President, P. R. Larkin; vice-president, James Middleton; treasurer, John Maynard ; secretary, D. A Thomas; committee, Messrs. O. Wall, George Gale, James Service, Thomas Payten, and H. Holcomb. The objects of the association are to watch the progress of all works and matters connected with the Municipality of Randwick, and to consider and discuss the same, and generally to promote a knowledge of and interest in municipal and other matters affecting ratepayers and residents of the borough.

23 Aug 21

My name is Hayley Giemza and my family have a rich history with the City of Port Phillip. 

My family bought their first Hotel in 1986 in St Kilda. It was the St Kilda Inn which is located on the corner of Grey St and Barkly St. As a family we lived upstairs on top of the pub and every day we worked, breathed and lived it. I was 13 years old, my brother only 7yrs and we encountered a childhood rich in experiences. Growing up in St Kilda in the 80’s was controversial. Bojangles was still in operation which bought a lot of the underworld to the area. However, The St Kilda Inn was known as a second home for the New Zealand community and the culture inside the Pub varied from the streets. The pub was adorned with beautiful Māori carvings. The beer garden was always full of the community cooking traditional foods for one another, using the pub to teach traditional dance and perform cultural dance and the ever-exciting Haka! We sponsored the St Kilda Rugby League which created another element of connection. I remember my friends and their parents coming from Brighton, walking into the establishment initially intimidated and then welcomed by open arms once introduced to the local community. I remember being dropped home from a trip to Mt Buller by a school family and they asked if Mum and Dad were home. I replied “no, they are away however all the locals will look after me”. The staff were full time and took their positions whole heartedly. It taught me the values of a strong local community and what the original Public House was designed for.

In 1986 Liquor Licences were difficult to receive. It involved exams, Justice of the Peace, the Sergeant of St Kilda Police and proof that the Publican was an upstanding citizen, so a Publican took their role seriously. This in turn taught me the importance of the local pub, being pivotal for people to congregate, share opinions, show compassion to others and the Publican historically being a shoulder for the best and worst times for many.

Life of the Publican’s Daughter continued. In 1990 my family bought the New Market Hotel in Inkerman St, St Kilda which was the only early opener in the City of Port Phillip. The Council yards were across the road and every Wednesday afternoon the bar was full of big burly blokes swigging 7oz glasses, throwing their pay cheques over the bar because the Publican could cash it quicker than the banks. I have memories of all walks of life stepping into that front bar at 7am. Either still partying from the night before or needing a quick chin wag before the day begins. It was a working man’s pub with Marika in the kitchen providing the biggest chicken schnitzel with a capsicum and paprika sauce to soak up and cure remanence of the previous evening. Working the Pub was like no other vocation. It wasn’t 9-5, 40 hour weeks. It was a lifestyle, every day and every night open to everyone! I could write a book about those teenage years in St Kilda. Every day bought new experiences, new people, new stories which in turn taught me about the rich history of the area.

Life in Pubs continued with my family buying the Fountain Inn. The Fountain Inn was on the corner of Bay St and Crockford St, Port Melbourne and was known as the Fountain Inn due to the old watering fountain placed in front of the Pub for horses to draw water. Unfortunately, it no longer exists. The pub was quickly transformed into an Irish epicentre with Eddie Hayes as the Manager who was considered the God Father of the Irish community. A man who was always the life of the party. The Pub was renamed The Blarney Stone and had a 3am licence which enabled live music most evenings. My brother and I would trudge to school, blazers smelling of cigarettes, learning to sleep with the high-pitched laughter and drum beat from below. Once again, a pub full of community and culture, only this time being Irish. I can’t even explain the excitement and activities of St Patricks Day. Bay St was completely closed to traffic and the community would walk from Molly Blooms (beach end of Bay St) to the Blarney Stone. Marquees set up between the infamous Faram Bros hardware and the Pub. Stages with young dancers showcasing traditional Irish dance. The Council was open minded with less red tape and the community was richer for it. I remember every hotel in Bay St having to enter a team of four people for a boat race from one end of Bay St to the other. Eight Competing boats all representing a Pub, lined up ready to race 1.5km. Unfortunately, our 4 competitors had a skinful of Guinness by the midday start and our boat painted with the lucky 4 leaf clover was built of wood, whilst others made of polystyrene. Obviously, not thought out too well although riveting and joyful for local spectators. It felt as if the good times continued for years.

Next stop was the Middle Park Hotel.  Suddenly, we found ourselves in a quiet, gentrified establishment with only 4 older gentlemen “the barflies”, frequenting the front bar from 11am-2pm. However, our family quickly changed that. Overnight the hotel filled with young people from Albert Park. Team sports all congregating 5 nights a week, celebrating their wins or commiserating their losses. The back dark nightclub transformed, habits were changing and so was the expectation of the local Pub. No longer the 7 oz swill but the communal jugs being filled with flowing Carlton Draught. The everlasting chicken parma being a Pub staple, materialised. I’m a firm believer that a pub has a particular purpose. It is not a restaurant; it is not a café. It is a stand-alone establishment for the community. Any one is welcome and should be treated with respect. Give the punter what they want and deserve.

It was the year the Middle Park Hotel experienced its first Grand Prix. The crowds were enormous which overflowed into the local watering holes. I thought St Patricks Day was crowded until I experienced the Melbourne Grand Prix. 10 security guards standing on wine barrels scattered around the pub and the street. Once again closed off for people to enjoy the surrounding atmosphere and glorious sunshine Melbourne occasionally showcases. Larrikins were tossed into nearby taxis by security men looking as wide as tall. The typical caricature of the 90’s bouncer. This allowing for the locals and families to enjoy the festivities. It was like the Royal Melbourne Show on your doorstep. The Redbull cars, the flag bearing girls, Melbourne was alive.

Next Stint was across the Westgate to create another Irish successful venue however the family quickly returned to the beloved roots of Port Phillip. The Palmerston Hotel. A pub steeped in tradition, owned originally by old Ma Monroe for 60 years and then passed onto us. Receiving that Pub was like receiving a museum, full of historical remnants from yesteryear. 1950’s photos of local scallywags laughing, standing around the then circular bar which I framed proudly around the walls. I clearly remember the first day I walked into that Pub. My family had told me I was taking over the following day and I should go and see what needed to be done. It was an absolute eyesight. Originally, I thought the barmaid was a stripper. The entire pub looked as if it was an ice cream shop. Pastel walls with white plastic furniture. I remember asking the barman for a coffee and being swiftly sent across the road. How things have changed. Within months the Palmerston was transformed, a quick lick of paint and a new start. Suddenly, the menu and staff changed and so did the clientele. It became a Hub for businesspeople within the area to meet and eat. With a catchy slogan, “Have a Parmie at the Palmie”, quickly the Palmerston Hotel became known in the community. Murals decorating the exterior. Many will remember driving down Kings Way, seeing a mural of a man hanging out the front window or Jackie Collins kicking a goal. Saturdays were full of men and women alike drinking and punting. It feels as if my entire life has been one long bar full of characters, there are Gunners and Longy’s, Skinnies and Sausages, Wayno’s and Rockets all nicknames that continue from Pub to Pub.

The Latest stop, but not the last, is The Rising Sun Hotel, South Melbourne. What an establishment and what a time like no other. Even though the Hotel is located in a strong socio-economic suburb, we offer food and beverages at reasonable prices to accommodate everyone. The Rising Sun Hotel is your quintessential Australian community Pub. Therefore, it brings great sadness that the first time in history, Government has forced closure on such an important establishment for so many to seek solace. However, let’s not dwell on the constant talk of closures but the reopening of business bringing laughter, joy, a social backdrop for our ever-evolving community. The Rising Sun Hotel, the home of the South Melbourne (Sydney) Swans. The Riser, an institution for footy, racing, good food, cold beer and an avenue for live music. Once a pub tucked away, for the working-class man born into the rough and tumble of South Melbourne, shirking from the ever-looming St Kilda Rd Police precinct. Evolving from a pub surrounded by the local dairy to one now surrounded by 12 storey buildings, housing corporates, hungry for a break from the office surround. To now, a pub transformed back to its roots. Offices becoming apartments with new locals, neighbours, The Riser, a thriving community meeting point. Community supporting each-other’s needs and expectations through these changing times.

Although these establishments vary, the heart of the Pub never does. I hope I have given you an insight into my life in the City of Port Phillip. I’m sure my story has given you a taste of why I live in such an eclectic space and clearly displays my passion for people.

Who knows where the next chapter of my life takes-off? Catch you for a drink soon.

Hayley’s family owned over a dozen Hotels in Melbourne. She is still today known as the “Publicans Daughter” at The Rising Sun Hotel, is married to Mal Wakefield and has 2 boys. She continues to live in the vibrant City of St Kilda.

Question: Would you like to click the contribute button at the base of this page to send in questions you would like us to ask local personalities? You can also suggest local personalities that we should interview.

Answer: Coming soon.