1. Help elect like-minded RoPP endorsed candidates who focus on residents and to change the priorities of the Port Phillip Council to focus on getting the basic services right.
2. Bring sensible spending to Council to reduce pressure on rates and charges, and other fees.
3. Your donations will help fund activities aimed towards electing RoPP endorsed independent candidates in the October 2024 council elections.

RoPP Friends - $50 per year 

• Invitations to events (Event tickets not included)
• Updates to campaign and what’s going on at ROPP.

• +350% increase in dwellings (but only 46% increase in social housing)
• 4x previous population on this site is likely to exceed 1200 people
• 15x the annual population growth for Port Melbourne in a single block in a single year
• 93% of all trees to be removed.

• There is currently a wave of anti-social behaviour,
• Criminality especially drug dealing is rife on our main high streets,
• Drug users are visible especially near 7 Eleven and the Chemist shops in Fitzroy Street,
• Violent drug affected and anti-social behaviour leading to innocent people being severely bashed or robbed including a recent death on Acland Street,
• Naked person(s) running through Acland Court,
• Break-ins and robberies,
• Defecation in front of customers in one of our supermarkets,
• Verbal abuse/spitting/harassment from a small rowdy crowd of rough sleepers and the like, 
• Graffiti littered streets,
• Spitting and verbal abuse,
• Out of control AIRBNB rentals with associated drug parties, and sadly
• An element of antisemitic and anti-homosexual bile from misfits.

• IMF research finds Australia at the top of 25 countries as measured by households’ vulnerability to interest rate increases,
• Australia has one of the highest levels of household debt measured at over 100% of GDP,
• Rapid decline in household income, with Victoria now rated the worst in Australia,
• Victorian household incomes back to 2014 levels,
• Victoria has recently been rated very poorly in the economic scorecard report compared with other States,
• Victoria now the highest taxed State in Australia.
• Collapse in affordable housing (rental crisis)

• Council expenses (less depreciation) grew faster over the period than the inflation rate (Average 3.7% against 3.3%). This suggests that that we have not seen any substantive efficiency dividend over the period. I believe this part of the point Councillor Clark was making. Where are the real efficiency dividends when expenses are higher than the inflation rate over the last seven years?
• Council rates as a percentage of total revenue remained steady at 55% over the period. While a rate cap of 2.3% average over the period was less than the inflation rate, increasing market values of properties in the CoPP lifted total revenue attributed to rates above the cap level.
• Total revenue exceeded expenses (4% on average against 3.7%) over the period due to the increase in non-rate revenue (Interest income/statutory fees and fines etc),
• This is reflected in the large increase in financial assets (average of 9% increase over the period with a growth of 63% in total) and now sitting at $149 million!

Like thousands before me I've hired the scooters from both Lime & Neuron, but I took the plunge and when F1 commenced this year, I bravely embarked on my first Lime bike ride! When the bus was too much to bear (it was an hour from St Kilda to Southern Cross) after the trams were cancelled, I made my way with walking shoes on, attempting the trek home on foot for a bit of exercise on a sunny afternoon from the CBD back to St Kilda. 

Luckily, I stumbled across an e-bike quickly, on Bourke St, blocking the footpath as usual and thought, why not! After all, they're healthy and cost effective (according to Lime & Neuron and of course the Greens), and they provide the wider community with options to get around this great city we call home. 

We wouldn't need to be that reliant on them if our public transport was more cost effective and more frequent ($10.60 a day, St Kilda to the CBD return and about $2 if I was dropped off in the car, but that's for another day)! 

I walked the bike closer to the designated bike lanes away from the roads to ensure I was confident enough to navigate my way home on a bike that wasn't my own. Not paying much attention, I also missed the big metal thing on the frame that turned out to be a motor I'd picked up an electric bike, another new one for me. As much as I love my ride, I prefer the old-fashioned way of peddling! 

There are perfectly good bike lanes, off the road, no need to share the space with cars for most of the trip, an amazing ride through Port Melbourne, onto the Esplanade and eventually back to St Kilda. I'm hooked on hire bikes for those without their own wheels, while the weather is good, I can mix up my commute by using one of my own bikes, or when I feel like it. 

And then I signed out, after leaving it in a safe space, not blocking a driveway, a footpath, a shop entrance or kicking it in the gutter, I got the charge!

A whopping AUD $38.50! 

That's the price of a half decent bottle of wine, a pizza takeaway for the family or for some, it's the weekly grocery budget! Exactly how is this cost effective? Exactly how does charging $38.50 for a trip that is 6 kilometres reasonable? An Uber from the CBD to St Kilda is under $20. Exactly what is Council making out of these hire companies? With the proceeds why don't they provide docking stations which is by far, the most sensible way to avoid them being littered around town. And why are we touting these things as 'cost effective'? At that price, I'd rather walk. 

• Council Plan and Budget
• Reconciliation Action Plan
• Foreshore Management and Coastal Adaptation
• St Kilda Promenade Safety Upgrade
• Footpath Trading Guidelines and Fees
• St Kilda Adventure Playground

• Council Plan and Budget
• Footpath Trading Guidelines

• Council Plan and Budget
• Footpath Trading Guidelines
• Our Coastal Future

• Council Plan and Budget
• St Kilda Adventure Playground

• Council Plan and Budget
• St Kilda Adventure Playground
• Reconciliation Action Plan

• Council Plan and Budget
• St Kilda Adventure Playground
• Reconciliation Action Plan

• Council Plan and Budget
• St Kilda Adventure Playground
• Footpath Trading Guidelines

• Council Plan and Budget
• St Kilda Adventure Playground
• Reconciliation Action Plan

• Council Plan and Budget
• Our Coastal Future
• Footpath Trading Guidelines

• If you are a resident and not a ratepayer of course you are comfortable with a higher level of services, after all you are not footing the bill. The “free rider” effect.
• If you are a ratepayer, you could reasonably have a different view, wanting lower rates and a commensurate reduction in services.

• A reduction in use of consultants.
• Cease funding the East Timor project.
• Reduce the purchase of art. The CoPP currently has more than $18 million in art works, most of which are stored.
• Benchmarks that bring current high staff ratios within the CoPP in line with other councils through a natural staff attrition program. That is doing more with less combined with reducing non-core services while elevating core responsibilities.

• Communications, community engagement, consultation, and responsiveness poor
• Community priorities vs. Council agendas mismatch, insensitivity to residents' needs and concerns
• Decision making and prioritisation poor
• Distribution of resources inequitable, wasteful spending on non-essential projects
• Environmental concerns 
• Financial management, transparency, and accountability
• Infrastructure, maintenance, safety, cleanliness, rubbish collection and waste management 
• Inquiries and complaints handling ineffective
• Leadership and governance poor, lack of transparency and honesty
• Parking issues 
• Planning and development issues
• Political agendas, ideology, and governance
• Rates excessive
• Resistance to change or improvement
• Safety and crime concerns
• Service delivery inefficiencies
• Staff numbers and associated costs excessive, bureaucracy and inefficiency

Download Full Report Here

For:         Crs Rhonda Clark, Marcus Pearl, and Christina Sirakoff

Against:     Crs Tim Baxter, Louise Crawford, Heather Cunsolo, Peter Martin, Robbie Nyaguy, Andrew Bond

Photo of Graeme Cox – APYC Commodore, Warwick Lloyd – Sponsorship, Paul Taig – Committee, Peter Naismith - Ex Commodore, Tony Roberts - Treasurer

(Ben Canaider is an award-winning author of more than a dozen books translated into three languages and a journalist who has worked for The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Courier Mail, and The Spectator.)

• More likely to visit eateries charging cheaper meals and cheaper drinks and also customers are going out less frequently. 
• Also, while a few new businesses are opening, there is concern that more are closing due to increased state and excise taxes. 
It was highlighted, that three businesses recently closed in Clarendon St. 
• There are the yearly high lights such as the St Kilda Festival which is free and is underpinned by the ratepayers and there is also the Australia Grand Prix, which do provide a sugar hit to the local economy, but businesses are suffering on our high streets.

Council debate

Time Limits for Councillors Required

Quality of Councillors – Years of Appointment

• more bike lanes irrespective of widespread opposition and in the case of the current debate on Inkerman Street ongoing dismissal of rate payer and business concerns
• construction of toilets located next to St Kilda primary, when parents at the school were overwhelming in favour that the proposal did not go ahead and
• even those forces determined to confuse the Captain Cook statue debate when the clear point was that vandalism should never be rewarded in any form,

• Acland Street with the worst rental vacancy in Victoria,
• Unsettled traders in Carlise Street which made the news throughout 2023,
• The problems within Clarendon Street with homelessness and drugs (along with Fitzroy and Acland streets) and the
• Myth of the rejuvenation of Fitzroy Street- Its more spin than reality.

Council voted on Wednesday 21 February to transfer in-home aged care services to approved Commonwealth not-for-profit service providers, in a move that will result in forty-five positions being made redundant.

The services that will transfer to not-for-profit agencies include carer respite services, cleaning assistance, shopping support, assistance with personal care and showering and home modifications. 

The decision to transition these services was based on several factors including the Australian Government’s changes to how aged care services are delivered, the financial sustainability of providing the services and inability to meet demand for services.  Currently, the CoPP are losing $1.7 million on providing these services. If Councillors had voted to maintain these in-home services, then the CoPP would have had to cut $1.7M from other services.

Council has committed resources to ensuring a seamless transition of the services from July 2024 to not-for-profit agencies that meet the required clinical and quality standards. Council will continue to run the existing in-home services until all clients have transitioned to the new service providers.

The decision was opposed by vested interests that ran a scare campaign, causing unnecessary anxiety for older residents. Vulnerable elderly people residents were misinformed that their aged care services will be cut and privatised. A tactic which seems to have been designed to protect forty-five age care positions despite assurances that Council will find new jobs for the employees. 

An attempt to delay the decision by six months was defeated in a vote. 

For: Cr Baxter, Cr Nyaguy and Cr Crawford

Against: Cr Bond, Cr Clark, Cr Cunsolo, Cr Martin, Cr Pearl, Cr Sirakoff

Council will continue to provide services for older residents under the Village Model, including social support, transport including the Council run ‘Hop On, Hop Off’ bus and delivered meals. 

Council will provide a Community Connector service for an initial 12–18 month period to assist older people transition from their existing programs to a number of services including:

• The new Support at Home Program
  
• The My Aged Care program 
• Council, and locally provided services already mentioned, and most importantly,
• The maintenance of continuity of care with no gap in the overall services for all clients.

Council have been struggling to provide in-home aged care services due to staff shortages. This has been confirmed by residents who have contacted Port Phillip Matters. An elderly Port Melbourne couple were not able to get their home cleaned by council even though they were recipients of a My Aged Care home care package. The couple informed that Council did not have sufficient staff to provide the cleaning services and the couple were put on a waiting list. A Middle Park resident in his late 80s had not received assistance from Council for six months despite having an approved home care package. 

The final decision to implement the new aged care arrangements was voted up as follows:

For: Cr Bond, Cr Clark, Cr Cunsolo, Cr Martin, Cr Pearl, Cr Sirakoff

Against: Cr Baxter, Cr Nyaguy and Cr Crawford

During the debate over the fate of the Captain Cook statue in Catani Gardens, one of the councillors asked what is the definition of woke? The rhetorical question was put in response to the proposition that the removal of the statue would be a capitulation to woke ideologies. 

Woke is now the new term for political correctness and is a cultural revolution driven by identity politics and victimhood. The woke movement is best understood as a religion - one that makes grand claims to moral purity and tolerates no dissent. Its disciples even have their own language, rituals, and a determination to root out sinners through what has become known as 'cancel culture'.

The term originally described an awaking to social injustices but has now become a term of abuse and derision, largely in part due to the intolerance and authoritarian behaviours of woke practitioners. 

Woke is a belief system that is hostile to individual liberty and insists that nobody is an individual and everybody belongs to some category of identify based on ethnicity, sexuality, gender, race, religion.  Once you get identified you are ranked according to your degree of victimhood, where people are classed as either privileged oppressors or as victims. 

Woke is fundamentally divisive because it pits one group against another: you are either an oppressor or the oppressed. For example, identity politics dictates that all women are oppressed by men. This may be true in some circumstances, but it's not true for all men and women. Women have the same rights as men under Australian law and discrimination against women by men is a crime. 

It is now common for people including some of our Councillors to claim victimhood status in the false belief that their victimhood confers unearned moral virtue and authority. 

Life can be challenging, and everyone must deal with adversity at some time in their lives. We can become ill, lose our jobs, become addicted to alcohol and drugs, we can be betrayed by friends, fail to get promoted, not have enough money, lose loved ones and ultimately, we die. 

Our best chance of dealing with adversity is being grateful, rather than feeling embittered and resentful. We have agency as individuals to deal with adversity. Behaving as a resentful victim does not improve our circumstances but it might get you a government handout. 

Woke is authoritarian and illiberal. Woke seeks to characterise alternative views as misinformation and disinformation. If you are woke, you are told what to think, not how to think. 

This ideology has no place in a liberal democracy which must embrace the rule of law and freedom of speech. We must embrace diversity of ideas not just characteristics such as race, religion, gender, and sexually. 

Woke seeks to find offence and to stifle dissent. If you don't agree with wokeness, you are categorised as racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, far-right or neo-Nazi.

The Councillor who asked for the definition of woke made claims of moral righteousness and a far-right slur towards his colleagues with whom he disagreed. Woke is not interested in hearing views with which it disagrees.

Cr Tim Baxter falsely claimed these Councillors “were more interested in protecting a statue – a lump of metal” than “protecting queer children and rainbow families from death threats” in reference to the cancellation of drag story time at council libraries last year. His comments were not truthful because these planned events were cancelled to ensure the protection of children and their families. 

Name calling, personal attacks and telling lies are part of the woke tool kit. 

This Councillor accused his colleagues of engaging in culture wars when he realised the divisive motion would fail. Culture wars are worth fighting against when people are seeking to rewrite history and when are our values are threatened. The woke scream culture wars when they are losing control of their divisive agendas. 

They claim a lack of democracy or of not being heard when democracy doesn’t support their position. Democracy is valued only when supporting their version of the world. 

Cutting down the Cook statue was described as a ‘hate filled political crime’ by Jason Briggs of Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council. The act of vandalism was designed by political activists who seek to divide our community when we should be engaging in bringing our community together. 

Woke is the enemy of social cohesion and the desire to unite all Australians based on a set of values rather than the false and fractious beliefs of identity politics. 

On behalf of the Macey family to the people of the City of Port Phillip.

The Wake to celebrate Reg Macey's life and achievements will be held:

Date: Friday 22nd March 

Time: 2pm onwards...

Where: The Cornerstone Hotel, Port Melbourne. 

A ceremony will be held at 3pm until 4pm.
 At the conclusion of the ceremony, the song ‘Bagdad’ will be sung.
 Everyone will be welcome to stay on as long as they like.

We are holding a good ole fashioned wake. Music, singing, sharing stories, meeting old friends, and making new. 


Come along and buy yourself a bevy and raise a glass to Reg!

I am a resident in St Kilda East, and I oppose Council’s proposal to construct a separated bicycle lane on Inkerman Street between St Kilda Rd and Hotham St with the removal of 116 car parks (option A). I spoke at Council on 21 February 2024 in relation to Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy.

Since the Integrated Transport Strategy was written in 2018, and protected bicycle lanes have been rolled out in various locations, residents and traders have widely objected, because these bike lanes have caused safety issues, made driving and parking very difficult, caused economic damage to local businesses and are not used by the majority of residents.

Examples of poorly considered transport infrastructure are unfortunately plentiful in Port Phillip: the introduction of the tram super stop in Acland Street, which resulted in road closure to traffic and loss of car parking which has resulted in economic losses and shop vacancies, is one. Another is Fitzroy St, which suffered from the loss of car parking when the separated bicycle lane was introduced.

It was therefore encouraging that Council amended their Integrated Transport Strategy at the 21 February 2024 council meeting, changing Action 18 from 

“Deliver a network of dedicated and continuous protected bike corridors to create safer routes for all ages and abilities.”

to 

“Deliver a range of interventions to build a network of connected, safe riding options, ensuring safety for people of all ages and abilities and continue to explore opportunities for the provision of protected bike lanes in the City of Port Phillip.” and also to “advocate to State government to deliver protected bike corridors on state-managed arterial roads”

The removal of protected bicycle lanes as the only option to create safer cycling routes is a rare win for common sense. Councillors voted along party lines to adopt these changes: 

For:  Cr Bond, Cr Clark, Cr Crawford, Cr Cunsolo, Cr Pearl, Cr Sirakoff

Against: Cr Baxter, Cr Martin

Abstained: Cr Nyaguy (who walked out of the meeting prior to the vote)

I strongly support this amendment, especially considering the time and cost blowouts reported by council, and wholeheartedly congratulate Council for their sensible amendment to this strategy. Many residents would be aghast to learn that Council now projects that the Inkerman St bicycle lane will cost almost $10 million.

Community consultation is a key pillar of making community-minded decisions. However, the way in which surveys are conducted determines whether the results can be relied upon as a true gauge of community sentiment. The community survey undertaken by Council for the Integrated Transport Strategy change is instructive of how survey results can be biased, and it is promising that the majority of Councillors were able to recognise the flawed results and vote accordingly.

The community survey (Item 10.1 at https://portphillip.infocouncil.biz/Open/2024/02/ORD_21022024_AGN_AT_WEB.htm) had 78 responses, where 87% of respondents said they currently ride a bike. Compare this to the National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey 2021 (https://www.cwanz.com.au/national-walking-and-cycling-participation-survey-2021/) where only 18% of Australians rode a bike over the previous week and 40% over the previous year (and this was during the COVID pandemic where bike riding increased). Why did 87% of respondents say they rode a bike regularly vs. 18% of the Australian public? 

Because, Council specifically sought feedback from the Port Phillip Bicycle Users Group who are actively lobbying council to adopt Option A for Inkerman St (https://www.ppbug.org/bug-blog/tag/inkerman+st), which would result in 116 car spaces being removed.

This is a good demonstration of selection bias in a small community survey, where the vast majority of residents in Port Phillip have not “had their say”. The survey responses are not indicative of community support, but of what a dedicated group of bike enthusiasts believe. Residents of Port Phillip know that most of our local roads are quiet and safe for cyclists.

I am happy that council are talking a more holistic and considered approach to the complex issue of transport, and agree entirely with Council lobbying the Victorian Government to fund bicycle corridors along State-managed arterial roads.

Sensible strategies can be implemented if the views of the whole community are taken into account. 

Proposals which remove car parking spots from our roads, which the majority of residents use and require, should be voted down by Council. Council should instead promote cycling infrastructure to improve safety only where there is objective safety data to demonstrate risk, and the needs of the wider community can be carefully considered. Balanced approaches to transport in our community will ensure that Port Phillip remains a great place to live and work.

Council has rejected a proposal to permanently close the intersection of Pickles Street with Bridge and Glover Streets. The council has voted to terminate the trial and remove the temporary barriers (pictured). 

The decision was contentious as Council Officers reported positive trial results while residents advocated for a better solution to improve safety and manage traffic flow at this intersection in the interests of all users and manage traffic speed in Pickles Street. 

Officers reported the trial to be successful in reducing recorded crashes, without significantly changing traffic volumes in the adjacent local road network.

Residents on the other hand reported vehicles being driven over the median closure, making unsafe U turns at either end of the median closure to access both Bridge and Glover Streets, ‘Keep left’ signs being knocked down and increased danger for cyclists and pedestrians crossing the road at the median strip. It was surprising that none of these dangerous behaviours were acknowledged in the evaluation report.

Council Officers have been requested to provide the timeline for the removal of the safety temporary closure.  

Councillors voted against recommendation to make the median closure permanent at the intersection with the vote split as follows.

For: Cr Baxter, Cr Bond, Martin and Pearl

Against: Crs Crawford, Clark, Cusnsolo, Sirakoff 

Abstained: Cr Nyaguy

The motion was lost because the Mayor used her casting vote. 

I hate being told what to wear. But the relentless brain washing fashion nazis have been on my case for decades. 

Now I think myself a rather stylish guy. I get it from my father who was a conservative but snappy dresser. Always wore cologne and was fastidious about his hair and nails. While I am not quite as fussy, I think I do make a good effort. But not according to my jack-booted partner that will give me the once over before I leave home and more often send me back to my wardrobe for radical adjustment therapy. And often I am forced to do multiple wardrobe appointments .

Now I met my partner at work and in those days I proudly self-dressed. This was a while ago. I really liked wearing corduroy and had a passion for wearing knitted woollen vests, most which were crafted by my talented mother, which I considered quite fetching and very practical with Melbourne’s ever-changing weather.

Clearly love is blind, as I should have seen the light when my new girlfriend started to take me out ‘clothes shopping.’ Now I did have my own clothing shopping system based upon the wear out factor as well as regular retail outfit purchases every two or so years. I liked to get value and leaned towards practical technologies like drip dry shirts that negated the need to iron, though they did promote body odour… but you can’t have everything.

Needless to say, my partner buys all my clothes and I have no say. And when I do venture out in a fit of brave stupidity and buy an item of clothing, I am frog marched back to the store for an embarrassing refund. Worse still is that she had deputized one of my daughters so in my partners absence I still got the “You’re not actually going to wear that are you?” echo throughout house. There was nowhere to hide… Thankfully my daughter has left home now but still treats me like a fashion failure and now she also buys me clothes. 

It’s been many decades now that I have lost my independence. But it’s all about love...and fear...and the price you pay to have a happy life and a happy wife…

But I still hate being told what to wear - truth be told I have been beaten into submission and really don’t give a rats anymore. 

But I do still love corduroy and knitwear. 

The countdown is on - just 2 weeks until the St Kilda Park Primary School 2024 Fete! 

CAN YOU DONATE TO OUR SILENT AUCTION?

SKIPPS silent auction is the fete’s major fundraiser and features generous donations from across the community. 

In 2024 SKIPPS's main fundraising goal is to resurface the basketball court, which is at the heart of the school community. After years of heavy use, it has deteriorated, and SKIPPS aim to install a new surface so children can play safely.

SKIPPS target is to raise $50,000.

>> If you have a product you'd like to donate SKIPPS would love to hear from you 

>> For details about the fete

New single Councillor wards for Port Phillip City Council were announced on 15 February. An independent electoral structure review panel appointed by the Minister for Local Government has recommended the new electoral structure. 

The nine single-councillor wards will replace the existing three wards with three Councillors in each ward and will apply in the October 2024 Council elections.  The new ward structure has determined: 

• the appropriate number of councillors and wards for the council 
• the location of ward boundaries 
• appropriate ward names. 

The new wards have 10,000 to 12,000 voters compared to current wards which have around 30,000 voters. In principle, Councillors will be able to better represent their constituents, but representation is entirely dependent on the Councillor’s commitment to responding to emails and telephone calls and whether they have full time employment. 

The independent report presents the panel’s final advice to the Minister for Local Government on the recommended new electoral structure of Port Phillip City Council to meet the requirements of the Act. The Minister is expected to approve the recommended nine single wards. 

For more information refer to the Advisory Panel’s report 

The 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival kicks off on 27 March. And the great news is you don't have to go to the CBD to enjoy it. This year, it comes to you!

St Kilda Cellars Wine Bar (45 Fitzroy Street) plays host to Joel Temperly's Comedy Festival solo debut, '110% Jokes'.

The venue is no stranger to stand-up comedy. In fact, February is the two year anniversary of its weekly comedy show: Comedy in the Cellar. But this year, Joel and "Cellars" have decided to crank it up a notch and bring the comfest southside.

You can catch '110% Jokes' at 7pm Wednesday to Sunday, and 9.30pm on Tuesdays, throughout the festival. Tickets are $14-$18.50 and can be bought here. Use code CHEAPSKATE at checkout to get a 10 percent discount.

This is a great chance to catch an up-and-coming Melbourne comedian without having to brave the hustle and bustle of the CBD, all the while supporting a great local business.

If you want to find out more about the show, check out the comedy festival website or follow Joel on Instagram (@joeltemperly).

Council voted to reinstate the vandalised statue of Caption James Cook located on the St Kilda Foreshore. The statue was cut down by criminal vandals prior to Australia Day, only hours before security arrangements were to be activated. This coincidence does not go past unnoticed.

The act is driven by hate, and is a criminal act of vandalism to the heritage listed statue which will come at a cost to the community. This was perpetrated by extreme political activists who painted the plinth with “the colony will fall’. On the eve of Australia Day in 2023, the same statue was covered in red paint raising concerns about the merit of restoring the statue when future acts of vandalism can be expected. 

Cr Robbie Nyaguy brought a motion to Council only one week prior to the council meeting without seeking support or giving notice to all Councillors prior to the February 7th meeting. His motion was essentially NOT TO RE-INSTATE the statue until such time as the council had ‘established the costs and timeframe for the reinstatement’ of the Captain Cook’s Statue and ‘to conduct a community engagement process to understand community views on the reinstatement or removal of the statue ahead of any works being undertaken’.

The motion surprised many residents as Premier Jacinta Allen said the State Government would assist with the cost of reinstating and supported immediate action.

It was therefore odd to see a motion from a labor councillor which was not supported by the public view and did not align with the statements of the premier.

Cr Nyaguy advocated for a lengthy and costly community engagement process prior to reinstatement, yet he has already commented in the Herald Sun that he doesn’t want to put the statue back up. 

Because of numerous submissions from the public including a full Gallery preparing to speak to the matter at the meeting, and a letter from the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council requesting the statue be reinstated immediately and denouncing the criminal act, Cr Nyaguy was forced to rush changes to his motion during the meeting. However he pressed on with devising wedge politics and prosecuting a now, watered-down motion. He changed tactic to allow for the statue to be restored immediately and ‘to conduct community engagement to understand community views on the location and context of the statue’. The councillor patched together an amended motion during the meeting as he knew his original motion would not get up, without amending the motion to immediately restore the statue.

Councillors spent almost two hours debating the amended motion. The debate was often acrimonious and nasty at times with numerous points of order and threats. Mayor Cunsolo did an excellent job to chair the meeting and at one point, a resident was ejected from the public gallery. 

The amended motion was rejected because community consultation was unnecessary because of strong feedback already received and the Mayor and CEO advised that the CoPP are already working with the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council to recognise local indigenous history. 

It is somewhat strange that this labor councillor would continue with such a motion that was spoken against by 100% of the large gallery in attendance. The Age survey also showed that 66% of people wanted the statue back in place and the Herald Sun survey showed 95% wanted immediate reinstatement. The community of the Boonwurrung people believe that this act should not be supported by further discussion. Is this a case of the individual ideology of one councillor being more important than the opinions of the Boonwurrung people and the community at large?  How can one justify such a position as democratic rather than divisive, given that it is clearly the well-worn path of wedge politics that was adopted in this case. 

Cr Rhonda Clark said, ‘Vandalism and criminal behaviour should not be rewarded or condoned by anyone in the community, no matter what you believe in’.  Cr Sirakoff said ‘We cannot allow vandals to get away with their actions. We need to send a strong message to vandals that removing the statue does not change our history. If we do not restore the statue then we are setting a precedent to allow vandals to tear down other monuments in the City of Port Phillip.’

Councillors agreed to reinstate the statue without conditions and voted down the amended motion with a division called. 

For: Baxter, Crawford, Martin and Nyaguy. 

Against: Bond, Clark, Cunsolo, Pearl, Sirakoff

The James Cook statue was erected and unveiled by Victorian State parliamentarians and St Kilda City Councillors in 1914 by the St Kilda council because of his services to maritime history and exploration.  The statue is heritage listed by the National Trust of Victoria.  

Jacinta Allen, the Victoria Premier has publicly supported the reinstatement of the Captain Cook statue, aligning with a vision that respects our collective history and heritage, advising we must stand against vandalism and for the rule of law, ensuring our public spaces and historical markers are respected.

In a shocking exposé by 9 News late last year, the City of Port Phillip came under scrutiny for rampant mismanagement, with a focus on the deplorable state of street cleaning and damning revelations about the conduct of the street cleaners themselves.

The laundry list of allegations paints a grim picture: a pervasive culture of laziness, wage rates soaring above those of comparable councils for similar work, staff getting paid for a full 8-hour shift while only clocking in 3 hours of actual work, and a suspicious dance of street cleaners loitering in parking spots like campers, moving just enough to escape scrutiny.

> Watch the Exposé by 9 News here

The whistleblowers who dared to lift the veil on these egregious practices were not hailed as heroes but instead shown the door by CoPP management. When a council resorts to silencing its own truth-tellers and brands them troublemakers, it becomes imperative for us to rise against this injustice and ensure justice for both the whistleblowers and the victims of the reported malfeasance.

In such instances, whistle blowers need to support the case with meticulous documentation which becomes their shield. Every detail, every date must be recorded to fortify their stance and defend their actions against any challenges that may arise. Even though the whistle blowers were able to site numerous weekly instances in support of their case, they were treated with impunity by a management system that sought to hide its own troubling issues.

It is important to the community that a report of misbehaviour be highlighted by the whistleblowers, utilising all available avenues, be it through our own channels or by bringing in investigative bodies such as the media or regulatory authorities.  In this case their only option became the media. How sad this truth is!   

While reporting to the authorities may seem ideal, a cautionary note emerges when the authority in question is the very council under scrutiny. In such cases, expecting them to impartially investigate their own wrongdoings is as futile as expecting a fox to guard the henhouse. Public awareness then becomes our most potent weapon, shining a relentless spotlight on the issue and mobilising action to address the rot within.

Time and again, public pressure has proven to be the catalyst for awakening the dormant conscience of council public servants. It is paramount that we acknowledge whistleblowing as a cornerstone for upholding ethical standards and legality within organisations. To foster a culture of accountability, we must prioritise the protection of whistleblowers, ensuring they can expose wrongdoing without fear of vindictive reprisals. In the battle for transparency and integrity, their voices must be heard, and the cloak of secrecy surrounding council misdeeds must be forcefully torn away.

December saw a flurry of news reports both in print and television on the City of Port Phillip’s initiative to encourage new businesses to Acland Street through a rent assistance programme. The programme is to target 5 to 10 businesses in Acland Street for up to 12 months. Let’s hope this new initiative goes a long way to attract new vibrant businesses and revitalise Acland Street. 

Port Phillip Matters has been advocating for a renewal programme for many years in Acland Street, including a masterplan for all the CoPP retail precincts. A masterplan creates consistency and sensible long-term planning and investment in our retail hubs throughout Port Phillip. Sadly, we do not have one.

Finally, however, the CoPP appears to be getting its act together and acknowledge that there is a major problem in Acland Street. And with the highest retail vacancy of any strip at 27.5% in the last twenty years, you must ask what took them so long to do something?

The rental assistance programme comes off the back of a similar exercise done in Fitzroy Street, which Council claims has had positive results. While any initiative that can renew Acland Street is to be welcomed, we should also strip away the ‘spin’ by Council of the benefits of such a programme. If we look at the Fitzroy Steet experience, the conclusion drawn is one of mixed results.

As one business owner in Fitzroy Street stated, “It was refreshing and cute to have some of these ‘cottage’ businesses in the first year of renewal but some of these ideas were like something one would see as a large school fete and didn’t really have legs to sustain a commercial business”.

As the programme winds down so do many of the businesses stuck with the reality that their business cannot survive without cheap or non-existent rental arrangements. This appears to be the case in Fitzroy Street. The subsidy dries up and so do many of the businesses reliant on that subsidy.

The reality is that if these businesses are not viable enough long term, that is able to pay their own way, they will be there only if they are subsidised and no more.

An Officer of CoPP has spruiked the idea that the programme should be targeting a diverse and eclectic group of businesses to improve the shopping experience and importantly not act in direct competition with existing retailers. While this in theory sounds promising, market forces determine the long-term viability of a business and where they operate from. That is, the offering must be strong enough to survive post-council subsidy, otherwise it’s just a short-term burn of valuable targeted rate payer money. 

Similarly, we should always be careful about interfering with market forces especially with subsidies which often create sub-optimal business acumen. Experience in Fitzroy Street suggests that an effective no cost rental arrangement meant that subsidised retailers had not the same incentive to open at regular hours, especially on cold days. Nor did many of the subsidised businesses feel they had to take responsibility for marketing their retail businesses. Real world business was substituted for a social workshop construct.

The point being is that any new business chosen for the subsidy scheme, should be selected on commerciality and long-term viability.

Finally in the flurry of news, we saw all sorts of reasons furnished for Acland Streets problems from high retail rentals to Covid 19. The reality is that much, if not all Acland’s streets problems, relate to the forced introduction of the tram mall which overnight stifled traffic into what was once a thriving retail hub - a decision that CoPP must also wear responsibility for. Some Councillors gloss over this inconvenient truth, blaming high rentals for the vacancy rate, ignoring the fact that rentals for most vacant shops in Acland Street have fallen 40% plus from their highs.

Message to Councillors

The programme is a good start if properly managed, but it’s not the panacea for Acland Street. An overarching long term master plan for all our retail strips is where CoPP should be focusing on. The current initiative may however, look good on your CVs in an election year and cover a few of the cracks in Acland Street. 

Sadly, for the estimated $200,000 being spent on this initiative in a Council war chest of over $160 million, it’s small beer and won’t stop the usual suspects among you wanting to push up our rates further in 2025. That’s a given!

Killing off Christmas

What’s happened to Christmas in Port Phillip ? Our bah humbug WOKE incrusted council bureaucrats have finally gone too far. Where are our retail streets Christmas decorations? Who is responsible for this do nothing Scrooge like decision to ignore the celebration of Christmas? 

Ignoring this major celebration in our yearly calendar should be considered an unforgivable sin. These mouldy green, leftie public servants should be looking after the interests of all the community and not following their own twisted WOKE ideologies. They have killed off the spirit of Christmas, but for what benefit? 

Our surrounding suburbs streets are adorned with home decorations celebrating this happy occasion, which brings families together. Clear evidence of our community’s embrace of this special time of the year, but totally and deliberately ignored by council. A council that gouges $213m in rates and charges, parking fees, fines and other user fees each year and gives very little in return.

Families from all denominations and cultures love this special time of the year. Everyone that migrates to our country happily embraces this joyous celebration. But not our public servants that live in their own self-righteous universe of misery. I hope that these bureaucratic grinches are not taking the time off work and are not celebrating Christmas at home. 

It’s time for our community to make a stand and rid our council of this WOKE WITCHCRAFT that has come over our out-of-touch miserable bureaucrats.

Clearly our council is not fit for purpose, is out of touch with community needs, is politically and ideologically biased and needs to be sacked, put in Santa's sleigh and dropped off at the North Pole to learn what the real spirit of Christmas is all about.

Channel 9 News aired serious allegations against poor management at the City of Port Phillip. The issue was street cleaning and in particular allegations against the street cleaners. Allegations including, 

• a lazy culture,
• wage rates above average Councils for similar work,
• staff being paid for 9 hours but working only 3 hours,
• a round robin of parking in the streets doing nothing for a short time then moving to another parking spot to avoid suspicion.

>> Watch 9News report here 

When I watched the report, the first thought was not only was I not surprised, but that it explained why they were often parking in my street as well, doing nothing. And then you think of so many other ratepayers who have similar stories to tell and you realise that there is possibly something to the 9News Report.

Within 24 hours of the news report some of our Councillors made statements including on Facebook in response to the allegations. Mayor Cunsolo stated:

“The accusations made by an ex-staff member and ex-contractor on Channel 9 last night do not align with Council’s strong culture of customer service, performance accountability and value for money. The vast majority of Council’s operational staff work diligently to ensure our city is clean and safe, and Council responds appropriately where this is not the case. If residents or other members of the public have concerns about work not being completed, we encourage them to report this to us and we will investigate as a priority.”

Cr Bond, decided to focus on the two whistleblowers with some knowledge of their “popularity” at the depot and performances at employment tribunals. He then suggests that the Channel 9 report had no substance, stating “All of our trucks have GPS tracking, so any activity as there described is uncovered fairly quickly and dealt with if and when it occurs.” The problem with that statement is that it’s only valid if indeed someone in authority wants to look at the data.

The problem with the responses from both Councillors, is that they lead from a position of “nothing to see here” Councillors first and foremost have a duty to protect the rate payers’ interests. Not their own, nor their increasingly self-serving institution. Cr Bond choosing to defend the City of Port Phillip by suggesting that the whistleblowers themselves may be the real issue, does not instill any confidence that City Hall is on top of this matter. Some might even argue it’s just a form of scapegoating.

A proper response to the allegations should have been something like this. 

“The allegations raised in the Channel 9 News report are concerning. We are currently unaware of any of the outlined practices as stated in that report going on within the City of Port Phillip. We will be seeking an immediate inquiry into the allegations and on completion, release the findings to the residents.” 

This would have been the transparent, governance orientated approach as opposed to the tiresome political speak, so often now contaminating our local councils. 

The Challenge to Mayor Cunsolo and Councillor Bond!

Now here is the challenge to at least demonstrate a modicum of civic responsibility.

Seek a resolution through Council to refer the street cleaner allegations in the Channel 9 News Report to the independent audit and risk member at the City of Port Phillip. Give the independent audit member a wide term of reference including access to the GPS equipment. And importantly pledge that the findings will be made public on completion of the report.

The Middle Park Hotel development was at Victorian Civil and Administration Tribunal (VCAT) last week, after another 4 days, a further 3 days have been scheduled for 13th to 15th March 2024. 

VCAT Tribunal Members described multiple times the dynamic as 'complex', they are acutely aware of the case's public profile, that the issue is 'highly contentious' and its importance to the Middle Park community.

Example highlights last week:

• Under cross examination AVC's acoustic expert divulged that he was told by his client, AVC, that the rooftop was intended as a 'sports bar' - not a 'food led, high quality dining experience' as communicated to Council and national media.
• AVC's submitted plans fail to adequately explain how a new roof terrace will sit directly on top of the existing pitched roof structure - no engineering solution provided.
• PMPV submitted into evidence expert covert undercover surveillance material regarding the majority of AVC's other Melbourne rooftop bars - not one single piece of food to be seen at other AVC venues - only loud music and alcohol being consumed by 18-30 year olds.
• AVC / MPH had been operating unlawfully since the end of June - no valid permit for the MPH pavement area. The Middle Park Hotel, despite knowledge of this fact, has declined to close this area temporarily. (Editor's note: MPH received a valid permit within 24 hours of the complaint).

Thank you to local residents who attended in person.

In the bustling beachfront of St Kilda, a contentious debate echoes over the proposed development of a new 5,000-person live music venue. The Port Phillip council on December 6 voted in favour of “advocating to the Victorian Government for investment in a business case for a new live music and performance venue on the St Kilda Triangle with a possible contribution from Council to be confirmed”. The Council supported by sectors of the music industry and St Kilda business owners championing this venture, envisions it as a modern indoor entertainment venue designed to enhance Melbourne's vibrant cultural scene while simultaneously stimulating the local economy. With plans for a flat floor to facilitate dancing, and a series of elevated terraces, the venue aims to be more than just a musical hub; it's pitched as a catalyst for economic rejuvenation and jobs creation following the pandemic years.

However, the project, with its potential price tag ranging between $113M and $139M, hits a discordant note in terms of financial feasibility. The council, having already invested $515,000 in preliminary studies, finds itself in a fiscal quagmire. Last night’s motion allocated additional funding of up to $110,000 rather than the $400,000 recommended by Officers to secure state government funding or private investment to fund the project. A number of speakers at the Council meeting estimated that Council has spent between $10M and $20M on plans for the Triangle.  

The site, a car park adjacent to Luna Park and the Palais Theatre, has long been a battleground for development debates. The latest proposal has reopened old fissures in the community. Proponents argue that the venue would provide a much-needed fillip to local businesses and the job market. The recent success of concerts at the Palais Theatre, attracting thousands and benefiting nearby establishments, serves as a testament to this potential.

Contrastingly, local groups like Unchain, Luna Park and foreshore businesses vociferously oppose the project, citing concerns over the loss of parking amenities and potential environmental issues, including contaminated soil. Their argument is not just about preserving the status quo but about prioritizing essential services over entertainment luxuries in times of economic stringency.

The involvement of major music promoters in the feasibility study, such as Live Nation and TEG Dainty, adds a layer of complexity. While they identify a gap in Melbourne's music venue landscape that the new site could fill, there are apprehensions about the monopolization of the venue, potentially sidelining local acts in favor of more commercially lucrative ones.

Supporters like Jenni Roper, a local resident, and Andrew Ryan, owner of the nearby music venue The Prince, view the development as a beacon of progress, capable of reviving St Kilda's live music scene. They argue that the project, far from being a financial sinkhole, could be a strategic investment in the cultural and economic future of the area.

The St Kilda Triangle proposal thus sits at a crossroads of cultural ambition and fiscal prudence. The council's challenge is to harmonize the melody of economic stimulation with the baseline of community concerns and environmental stewardship. Whether this project will crescendo into a triumphant symphony for St Kilda or descend into a cacophony of unmet expectations remains to be seen. The next move, it seems, is for the state government and potential investors, whose funding decisions will either elevate this project to a grand opening or relegate it to the archives of unrealized plans.

Great news is brewing for Acland Street and St Kilda! A series of new initiatives and establishments are set to breathe fresh life into this beloved area.

Revitalising the Local Business Scene:

Encouraging the local community to shop and spend time in Acland and Fitzroy Streets is essential. By reducing crime and improving the overall appeal of the area, we can attract families and individuals who currently prefer Elwood or Albert Park high streets. Filling up vacant shops and creating a safe, welcoming environment are critical steps in this revitalisation effort.

New Additions and Exciting Developments

• Culinary Delights: The recent opening of 'Jaggers', a Spanish cuisine gem, is a nod to the South American community enriching our city. This move is part of a broader vision to infuse Acland Plaza and St Kilda with a Latin flair, offering live music and a culture-rich atmosphere beyond just alcohol-based venues.
• Retail and Dining: The addition of 'Hello Harry', a classic burger joint, and 'Yo-bar', a frozen yoghurt and acai bowl spot, add to the diverse food options.
• Acland Court Shopping Centre: The newly renovated centre, complete with Tesla charging stations, is attracting more visitors. It’s home to a family-owned florist, homeware store, and the 'Wholefoods' store for organic produce. This success story exemplifies the benefits of thoughtful planning and experienced retail management.
• Cotton On: a new store for St Kilda, a casualwear chain featuring trendy fashions for men, women & children, plus home-decor items

Italian Flair in St Kilda

• Cicciolina: This modern Italian restaurant offers a unique dining experience with its contemporary setting and eclectic art.
• Piccolina Gelateria: A top-rated gelato shop using only the best seasonal ingredients.
• Sorsi e Morsi: Known for its authentic Italian cuisine and welcoming atmosphere.
• i Carusi II: A hidden gem offering some of Melbourne's finest Neapolitan-style pizzas.

Cultural and Retail Tapestry

• Iconic Cakes and Multiculturalism: The historic cake shops of Acland Street are not just about desserts; they represent the multicultural fabric and entrepreneurial spirit of Australia.
• The Chakra Store: An iconic store among many independent clothing shops perfect for unique gifts.
• The Lady of St Kilda: This bar/restaurant is a testament to healthy Mediterranean cuisine, known for making their own Pita bread.

Diverse Dining Experiences

• Rococo Restaurant: A local favorite for seafood spaghetti.
• Vegan Sisters of Soul: Offering a serene spot with delicious vegan options.
• Banyan Tree Indian Restaurant: A must-visit for butter chicken enthusiasts.
• Scent of Thai: Authentic Thai cuisine with a welcoming ambiance.
• Burrito Bayside, RadioMexico, and Juana Taco: For those craving Mexican flavours.
• The Galleon Cafe: A retro café and a St Kilda institution.
• Abbey Road Cafe:  blend of fresh, homestyle food and soul-moving music, inspired by Greek Cypriot heritage.

A Vision for Acland Street's Future

• Establish a Weekly Fish Market: Introducing a vibrant fish market at the plaza each week can become a focal point for fresh, local produce, attracting both residents and visitors.
• Urban Greening Initiative: Following Melbourne city's example, we propose a 'greening' project for Acland Street. This would involve planting more trees and creating green spaces, making the street more inviting and environmentally friendly.
• Professional Urban Retail Planning: It's time to utilise our ratepayers' funds more effectively by engaging with expert urban retail planners. This investment will ensure a more strategic and community-focused development of our retail spaces.

Ensuring A Vibrant Local Economy Throughout the Week

While occasional events like a thriving Sunday market or the Triangle live events bring temporary buzz, it's crucial that we create an environment where local businesses thrive all week long. The key is to cater to the needs and preferences of local residents, ensuring a steady flow of patronage and support.

Vacant Shop Program is coming to Acland Precinct

In partnership with the City Of Port Phillip, Project Management & Consultancy in conjunction with Ginnane & Associates, are activating vacant shopfronts with the goal of increasing the vibrancy and foot traffic of this this iconic street and community. The aim is to attract and foster new tenancies that become long-term leasing opportunities, to ensure the precinct remains a high performing business destination.

They're looking for applicants who have a genuine interest and knowledge of the St Kilda precinct and will complement, not compete, with other businesses.

Interested? Or know of someone who would be? Head here for more details, FAQs and application form https://plan1pmc.com/acland-street-activation

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Note: this is only a sample of the varieties of Acland Street and does not do justice to all the other amazing traders! It's also worth pointing out that this story is not a paid advertisement.

At the recent Port Phillip City Council meeting at St. Kilda Town Hall on December 6th, the long-awaited Queens Lane Traffic and Parking Review was presented. Despite prior requests by the Queens Lane Resident Action Group (QLRAG) for early access to the document, the Council neither acknowledged these requests nor provided the Review in advance. This lack of communication forced us, as representatives of QLRAG, to respond to the Review within a constrained two-minute timeframe without prior examination.

It's important to recognize the timeline leading to this Review's publication. For seven years, no significant changes have been made to improve traffic flow at Queens Lane and Kings Way, leading to the current chaotic situation. Despite the Council's decision in December 2021 to prepare a report within 12 months to assess Queens Lane's functionality, the Review was delayed and only tabled in December 2023. Throughout the past year, QLRAG has actively sought solutions to the acknowledged traffic and safety issues, often facing communication challenges with the Council.

The Review frequently notes the limited options available to the Council due to external factors. However, Queens Lane, between Hanna St. and Kings Way, falls under Council jurisdiction, making them responsible for road safety. The increase in development and heavy traffic continues to exacerbate congestion. Notably, the Council has neglected to consult the community on Construction Traffic Management Plans or broader traffic management strategies.

Council's reliance on a 2016 study, which dismissed concerns about Queens Lane being used as a "Rat Run," seems increasingly questionable seven years later. Although our early analysis of the Review is marked by disappointment, particularly at the missed opportunities and slow progress, we acknowledge the inclusion of one of our recommendations: the installation of speed limit signs in the Queens Lane precinct.

The Review's recommendations were approved for potential inclusion in the 2024/2025 Budget, but given past experiences, we remain skeptical about actual implementation. The Council's projected timeline and vague promises of future community consultation further contribute to our frustration.

Finally, the Review's recommendations for improving pedestrian safety and managing construction impacts are inadequate. The lack of communication and community engagement from the Council will likely result in continued discontent among residents, who are increasingly frustrated with the slow pace and lack of substantial action.

In Victoria, local government, a sector encompassing over 50,000 employees, stands at a crossroads. The findings of the survey by Associate Professor Mark Chou, Dr. Rachel Busbridge, and Dr. Serrin Rutledge-Prior (2023) from the Australian Catholic University and Australian National University, offer their understanding of public expectations. Yet, juxtaposed against the prevalent culture of leadership in local councils, a stark contrast emerges.

At its core, local government is meant to be the custodian of community assets and a provider of essential services. However, an alarming trend has surfaced: the outsourcing or abandonment of fundamental services. The shift away from managing basic services like rubbish collection, street cleaning, and the running of pools and sports centres undermines the very essence of local governance.

The survey reveals a logical inconsistency that captures the crux of the current debate around the role of local government. On one hand, a substantial 70% of the population believes local government should focus ONLY on basic services like road maintenance and rubbish collection. Yet, paradoxically, over 80% also feel that local government should actively shape local identity and culture, and provide a platform for national discourse. This dichotomy underscores a complex public expectation.

Additionally, findings from Chou et al. stand uncomfortably next to the recently released “Perceptions of Local Government” report from Council Watch. (See the findings Summary in table 1 below) 

Table 1: Findings Summary from Council Watch Survey

The table reflects public perceptions of the roles local government should prioritise. Roads and footpaths top the list, with 90% and 85% respectively, indicating a strong public desire for local government to focus on these fundamental services. Parks and gardens, libraries, and aged care also receive substantial importance, with over 50% ranking. However, areas like environment and climate change, and equality/diversity/LGBTQIA+ matters, are deemed less critical, with only 13% and 4% ranking respectively.

These findings underscore a narrative for local government to "stick to their knitting," concentrating on core services that are traditionally within their purview and directly impact daily community life. The data suggests a significant portion of the populace may view the foray into broader social issues as overreach, potentially diverting attention and resources away from fundamental public services. 

A council leadership crisis extends beyond operational decisions. Senior council officers, wielding significant decision-making power, often lack the necessary qualifications and experience to handle complex, capital-intensive projects. Decisions made by these bureaucrats often lack a factual basis, driven instead by personal bias and political agendas. This disconnect between senior officers and community needs has led to a series of contentious decisions, from the removal of gas cooking and wood fires to the implementation of impractical bike lanes. 

Moreover, the culture within these councils is one of avoiding accountability. Senior officers are seen as shutting down any questions from the community, councillors, or media, creating an environment where dissent is not tolerated. This approach not only alienates the community but also undermines the democratic principles on which local government is founded.

Chou et al. findings, advocating for an expanded role of local government in societal and political issues, clash with the current operational realities. While the public may desire a broader scope for local councils, the existing leadership structure and priorities seem ill-equipped to handle such an expansion responsibly. The focus of senior officers on expensive project pipelines and innovative, socially progressive policies often comes at the expense of addressing the immediate and practical needs of the community.

Residents, primarily concerned with roads, parks, pools, and libraries, are increasingly finding themselves unheard and underrepresented. The perception of local government is at its lowest, with a growing disconnect between the sector and the people it is supposed to serve. This situation calls for a radical overhaul of the leadership within local councils, prioritising transparency, accountability, and a refocusing on core services.

The survey by Chou et al. highlights the evolving expectations of the public towards local government. However, juxtaposed against the current leadership crisis within local councils, it becomes evident that a significant transformation is required. Local government must return to its roots, focusing on being a custodian of community assets and a provider of essential services. Only then can it effectively meet the needs and expectations of the communities it serves.

The City of Port Phillip is currently navigating a complex and transformative period in its aged care services, spurred on by the impending implementation of the Commonwealth's aged care reforms. These changes, as detailed in the recent Council meeting on February 7, 2024, reflect a substantial shift in the approach to aged care delivery, directly impacting the local community and its elderly residents.

The Council's response to these reforms is encapsulated in its proposed "Village Model," a service delivery model developed to adapt to the changing aged care landscape. This model arises from the key findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and is shaped by the need to transition from the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to the Support at Home Program (SHP). The SHP aims to unify various care programs, offering increased client choice and control, individualised funding, and consistent national assessment and service provision.

This strategic shift acknowledges the Council's current limitations in scale, operational efficiencies, and clinical capabilities to meet the demands of the new SHP. The Village Model proposes to continue providing some Commonwealth funded services such as group social support, transportation, and delivered meals. However, it also plans to transition other services, including domestic assistance, personal care, and respite care, to specialist aged care providers better suited to meet the new requirements.

A cornerstone of the Village Model is the introduction of a Community Connector service. This service aims to assist older residents in transitioning to new care arrangements, emphasising the continuity of care and connection to local services. Feedback from community consultations and engagement activities highlights the critical role this service will play in ensuring the successful implementation of the Village Model.

The Council's approach reflects a commitment to supporting its aging population while adapting to a more competitive and demanding aged care environment. The consultation process, involving clients, staff, advisory committees, and community groups, has provided valuable insights into the community's needs and concerns. Key themes emerging from these consultations include the importance of quality assurance, managing the impact on staff and client relationships, affordability of services, and effective transition management.

Financially, the Council faces challenges in aligning its service delivery with the shifting funding landscape. The proposed model assumes efficiency gains and cost recovery for externally funded services, which will need careful management to ensure sustainability.

The implications of these changes are far-reaching. The community is understandably concerned about the impact on current clients, especially given the proposed changes to in-home services. The Council's detailed planning and engagement with the Commonwealth Government aims to ensure that transitions are smooth and that continuity of care is maintained.

The City of Port Phillip's response to the aged care reforms is a carefully considered strategy that seeks to balance the practical realities of changing funding models and regulatory requirements with the community's needs and values. As the Council moves towards implementing the Village Model, it will remain focused on supporting older residents to age positively within the community, upholding its commitment to inclusive and effective aged care services.

Council proposes to invest in a Community Connector service for an initial 12 to 18 month period to assist older people transition from their existing programs to a number of services including:

• The new Support at Home Program
• The My Aged Care program 
• Council, and locally provided services already mentioned, and most importantly,
• The maintenance of continuity of care with no gap in the overall services for all clients.

Council are expected to vote on adopting the Aged Care proposal in the near future given the 1 July 2024 deadline to transition to the new Commonwealth funding arrangements.

Port Phillip Council has acquired a commercial site in Fishermans Bend for $38.8 million, currently occupied by Australia Post. The 509 Williamstown Road site is adjacent to popular North Port Oval and is currently occupied by Australia Post. 

The 15,000-square-metre site will be developed for public space and a much needed sport oval and recreation facilities.

According to Port Phillip Council, Fishermans Bend is Australia’s largest urban renewal area with 10,000 housing unit developments delivered or in the pipeline and projected to be home to 80,000 residents by 2050.

“This future-proofing investment will allow the Fishermans Bend community to enjoy sport, walk their dogs or simply relax under a tree,” Mayor Heather Cunsolo said in a Press Release. “We want to create a special space that helps Australia’s largest urban renewal project live up to its amazing potential.”

Source of Image: Australian Property Journal https://www.australianpropertyjournal.com.au/2023/12/18/council-reels-in-auspost-fishermans-bend-site/

Port Phillip has committed to seeking feedback from residents and stakeholders including local sporting groups prior to development of the site. 

The CoPP are considering expanding the existing North Port Oval to include the Australia Post site and, eventually, incorporate, the adjoining Bunnings and DHL sites. 

The CoPP purchase of the site aligns with the Victorian Government’s Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area Development Contributions Plan | Engage Victoria and will assist to achieve much needed open space to meet the needs of 80,000 new residents in Fishermans Bend. Port Phillip Council endorsed a preliminary submission late last year.

Council undertook an independent valuation as part of the due diligence before the purchase and reported that the purchase price of $38.8 million (excluding GST) represents market prices and is fair value for residents.

Attribution: Port Phillip Council Press Release 

The Port Phillip City Council's meeting on December 6, 2023, turned into a fervent forum for local voices with more than twenty residents and traders asked questions regarding their deep concerns over the proposed Inkerman Street bike lanes. Residents were responding to bicycle lane design options which were published for community feedback. Council will collate the feedback and vote on the matter in early 2024. The design options intend to promote sustainable transport, faced scrutiny for its potential impact on parking, local businesses, and community safety.

Residents highlighted the reduction of up to 116 vital parking spaces and the challenges this would pose for businesses, fearing a decline in customer visits and trade. Concerns about access for deliveries and tradespeople were also raised, emphasising the practical necessities for the smooth operation of local enterprises.

Another significant issue was the plan's impact on waste management. The proposed bike lanes, according to the community, could complicate essential services such as garbage collection, disrupting the neighborhood's routine.

Safety concerns were paramount, especially for vulnerable groups like people with mobility difficulties, the elderly and children. The community questioned the council's safety measures, advocating for the protection of these groups amidst the proposed changes.

Council officers responses were seen as insufficient, leading to the intervention of the council's CEO who reassured residents that their feedback would be taken into consideration before the final decision is made. The CEO indicated there were around 1,000 responses for the Inkerman Street survey compared to about 200 for the St Kilda Triangle music venue proposal, indicating significantly more community engagement over the Inkerman Street controversy. This highlighted the need for a more inclusive approach in urban planning, considering the community's needs and concerns.

This meeting underscored the challenges urban councils face in balancing traffic management with community interests. The Inkerman Street proposal, while promoting sustainable transportation, revealed a need for a more empathetic approach to change. The council now faces the task of reconciling these concerns with the goal of sustainable development.

The council must now navigate these concerns carefully, ensuring that any future plans align with the community's needs and aspirations.

In a recent meeting of the Port Phillip City Council, the councillors and community members delved into several critical local matters, showcasing the council's commitment to addressing the diverse needs and concerns of its constituents.

Vibrant Cultural Development: The St Kilda Triangle Live Music Venue

The meeting opened with a lively discussion about the proposed St Kilda Triangle Live Music Venue. Residents and councillors expressed their thoughts on the project, which is seen as a potential boost to the local cultural landscape. The debate highlighted the community's enthusiasm for a vibrant music scene while acknowledging the need for careful planning to ensure the venue's integration into the area's fabric.

Gasworks Arts Park - A Vision for the Future

Another focal point was the future of the Gasworks Arts Park. The council reviewed several public submissions, each presenting unique perspectives on the site's proposed development plan. The submissions ranged from concerns about maintaining the park's historical significance to ideas for enhancing its role as a communal cultural hub. The council's discussion reflected a delicate balance between preserving heritage and embracing modernity.

Community Safety and Infrastructure: Queens Lane Traffic and Parking Review

Addressing everyday quality of life concerns, the council delved into the Queens Lane Traffic and Parking review. This segment underscored the council's dedication to enhancing local infrastructure for better community safety and accessibility. Discussions revolved around optimising traffic flow and parking solutions to meet the residents' needs.

Sustainable Urban Growth: Fishermans Bend Development Contributions Plan

In a significant move towards sustainable urban development, the council examined the Fishermans Bend Development Contributions Plan. This plan is pivotal in guiding the area's growth while ensuring that development is environmentally sustainable and meets the community's long-term needs. The council's engagement with this plan underscores its commitment to responsible urban planning.

Public Engagement and Councillor Queries

The meeting also featured active public engagement, with residents presenting submissions on various issues, highlighting the community's involvement in local governance. Additionally, councillors raised questions and motions, further demonstrating the dynamic and responsive nature of the council's decision-making process.

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Do you keep an eye on your local council's activities

Ever wondered what goes on at council meetings?

• To see the agenda and documents presented at the most recent 6 December 2023 meeting click here 
• To request to speak at the next council meeting click here
• To watch live, streamed video of the next meeting (or archived video of previous meetings) click here

Last week for feedback on Inkerman Street Bike Lane Proposal

Clearly the persons formulating the City of Port Phillip 'Have Your Say' survey on the Inkerman Street Improvement Project, have never heard of social desirability bias. This bias is one of the most common in surveys and reflects respondents' desire to answer a question in a way they believe is morally or socially preferable. 

Council have presented the community with this survey, telling them Option A will have the safest outcome for all road users (which is highly questionable if north side residents are forced to run the gauntlet over busy Inkerman Street after all their parking has been removed) and Option B will have the second safest outcome. For this reason alone, most respondents will automatically vote for Option A without stopping to consider any additional real-world impacts (particularly negative) that Option A might have. 

The survey is socially engineered in favour of Option A and is inherently biased towards this option.

The Bicycle Users Group of Port Phillip (BUG) and other Victorian cycling lobby groups have large membership numbers, are mobilised and extremely vocal (understandably) about improving bike safety; as is their right. These organisations have regular meetings, newsletters, Facebook sites and networks the small traders and residents on our street can never hope to match in size or reach. We have been made aware of calls to vote for Option A being published to members of these clubs, however they are not the ratepayers, residents and small businesses on and around our street, who stand to lose the most if Option A gets up. There is no mention anywhere, within their ‘Vote A’ campaigns, of any potential negative impacts to any entity whatsoever.  

This is just another example of the clear bias in Council's survey, i.e. sampling bias, in which samples are collected in such a way that some members of the intended population have a lower or higher sampling probability than others. This bias is another of the four most common in surveys. Two out of four for the City of Port Phillip - how was this even allowed to happen?

And let’s also consider for a moment, the fact Council have turned this alleged ‘consultation process’ into a Vote. This is NOT consultation. They have forced people to vote for one of two options – A or B (after effectively encouraging them to vote for A). 

After complaints from community members who did not like, or want, to vote for either option, they changed the process so people could skip this question and move ahead to the free text box, where they could provide feedback. HOWEVER… nowhere was this change advertised on the Option A or Option B question page;  i.e. ‘You may skip this question’ or ‘You do not have to vote for either option if you don’t want either’ etc. 

Now (allegedly) any recently allowed votes for ‘neither option’ will be counted separately by Council; handing them the perfect excuse to split the vote. 

With only one week to go in the ‘consultation process’, we’ve had the Bicycle Users Group (BUG) of Port Phillip spruiking the merits of Option A and currying favour with Councillors for all they’re worth. We’ve seen community cycling events (bike ride down Inkerman anyone?), photo opportunities with Councillors and pollies, including Sam Hibbins, pushing the agenda hard. Make no mistake this is political, and the dice aren't loaded in favour of the residents, ratepayers and small traders on Inkerman Street.

Some in our collective have, predictably, been publicly trolled and accused of being bike haters (or worse) by members of this group. One in particular, openly ridiculed Inkerman Street as “hardly a thriving commercial centre in any case”, which I found deeply offensive. There are almost 50 small traders in the tiny 1.2km stretch of road subjected to Council’s current scrutiny; perhaps this person would rather see our street full of McDonalds or 7-Elevens? We pride ourselves on our shop-small, shop local ethos and rely heavily on our drive-up trade, and access for our regular deliveries and pick-ups.

The same troll states ‘parked cars do not generate business, despite what they believe’.  Clearly he has never visited Bunnings, Coles or Costco! Our clients being able to park near our businesses, are what brings their business to us. Take that, and you take our livelihood. 

PLEASE VOTE FOR OPTION B which will deliver the safe bike lanes and upgraded pedestrian options needed, as well as saving access and amenity for the disabled, mobility impaired and elderly members of our community, along with residents, ratepayers and small traders on and around Inkerman Street.  

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

say NO to Option A

>> Download Petition - Inkerman Street Improvement Project.pdf

Jaz Bradley

The collaborative efforts of Albert Park College (APC), the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS), and the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) have given rise to an ambitious initiative—the Victorian Youth Arts Precinct. 

This transformative project seeks to establish a world-class facility dedicated to cultivating the talents of young artists and future professionals in the creative industries. Envisaged by Graham Burrows of Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, the precinct will feature cutting-edge amenities, including major and studio theatres, training and rehearsal spaces, exhibition areas, and the latest advancements in lighting, audio, digital projection, 3D, and stage technologies. The architectural vision places a strong emphasis on integrating with the site's heritage, with a transparent floating roof symbolising the harmonious fusion of the old and the new.

As a concerned parent with children attending APC, residing in South Melbourne, and a frequent user of Gas Works Park for dog walking and exercise, I am writing to express my wholehearted support for APC's commitment to developing facilities that possess architectural integrity and seamlessly complement the built environment.

However, I am compelled to address a matter of concern—opposition from a small minority of residents seeking to retain the full height of the 1950s orange brick wall that separates Albert Park College's new Youth Arts Precinct from Gasworks Arts Park. 

I firmly advocate for the Council to allow the VSBA to reduce the wall height for the following reasons. Firstly, the wall, dating back to the 1950s, lacks heritage value and detracts from the forward-looking design. Secondly, its full height makes it susceptible to graffiti, is adorned with razor wire, and stands as a conspicuous eyesore, inconsistent with the aesthetics expected in a public park or community facility. Thirdly, the towering structure poses significant security and safety risks by obstructing the public view of the Arts Precinct, thus violating council planning guidelines. Lastly, maintaining the full height of the wall hinders the new facility from fully integrating with the community and limits the expansion of the park's open space.

In light of these concerns, I request the Council to stand in solidarity with the school's vision and broader community and advocate for a lower wall. This approach not only aligns with the broader goals of the Youth Arts Precinct but also contributes to the enhancement of Gas Works Park, ensuring it remains a welcoming and integrated space within the community.

Learn more about this wonderful project here: https://www.vicyouthartsprecinct.com…and the great wall of graffiti:

City of Port Phillip has demonstrated a blinkered policy on its pursuit of protected bike paths which overrides public safety and demonstrates another waste of ratepayers money.

On several occasions Fire Brigades traveling east in Park Street between Kingsway and Moray Street and with traffic banked because of the protected bike path have been observed having to travel in the west bound traffic lane which may have had oncoming traffic turning left off Kings Way and may have resulted in a serious accident causing serious injury or death. Fortunately, this has not occurred but is an accident waiting to happen. 

There are also occasions with the parking spaces being located on the outside of the protected bike paths, that mothers have at times had extreme difficulty in taking small children from their car and making their way to the footpath. Instances have been observed where other children riding in the car, particularly toddlers cannot be safely restrained on the grass verge, while smaller children are assisted from the car.

Having drawn all of this to Council’s  attention, this is the response from the Transport Projects department:

“Park Street Temporary Bike Lane – Kings Way to Moray Street

I understand that you have concerns about the safety of the bike lane and parking arrangements in Park Street west of Kings Way. I would like to assure you that independent Road Safety Audits have been undertaken prior to and post installation of the bike lane, as per the guidelines of VicRoads. These audits have been reviewed by Council’s Transport Safety Team and did not  identify any significant safety issues or risks for any road users, including emergency vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Council continues to monitor the installation and its impacts on traffic flow and road safety and will make adjustments as needed based on feedback received and data collected.  

I also note your concerns related to drivers exiting vehicles, please note that the buffers between parked cars and the bike lane are significantly wider than the VicRoad guidelines allowing for additional space to exit vehicles and safely cross the bike lane. 

Emergency Services

I note your concerns and observations related to Emergency Services use the opposing road lane during times of congestion, this occurs throughout the inner suburbs of Melbourne. To mitigate risks to road users, there are specific road rules / laws associated with interactions with Emergency Service vehicles, in emergencies, law enforcement and other emergency vehicles are not required to follow the road rules. If a police, emergency, enforcement or escort vehicle has its red, blue or magenta lights flashing or its siren on, drivers must:

• Get out of its way / provide a clear path for the emergency vehicle 
• Give way and stop if necessary, even if you have a green traffic light.

It is the responsibility of road users to adhere to these road rules with VicPol the enforcing authority.”   

Councillors are aware of the safety concerns and it seems that they have relied on Officer’s advice to deny there is a problem with public safety and the danger they have created. Residents should let them know that this uncaring attitude is not acceptable.

Further, with protected bike paths having been constructed in the parallel Albert Road and with the Shrine to Sea project presumably extending over Kings Way, it seemed logical for the Council to review and dispense with the proposed protected bike lanes being duplicated in Park Street from St Kilda Road to Kings Way. Councillors and Council Officers have therefore been urged to review the Park Street Streetscape Improvement to remove the protected bike lanes. 

There is no doubt that the current proposal to construct protected bike lanes in Park Street, would not only be an unnecessary and costly duplication and remove a number of parking spaces and loading zones, but add to the major congestion that already occurs in Park Street. This will only become far worse when Anzac Station is completed and especially when Domain Road is again connected to Park Street.

That is not to say that beautification work on Park Street between Kingsway and St Kilda Road should not proceed. Everyone is in favour of this as it is presently a disgrace.

One should not overlook the congestion caused by the Accessible Tram Stop at the corner of Wells Street which is never going to be abated.  As there is no proposal to relocate it, protected bike paths will only add to this congestion and generally prevent outside dining.

And what does Transport Projects department have to say to his request:

“Park Street Streetscape Improvement and Councillor Decision Making

Please note that as elected representatives of the community, our Councillors have a challenging job in determining how best to proceed on projects. As a Co-convenor of G12+ you would be aware that there are a variety of views and perspectives within our community, and Councillors are charged with considering a range of items and balancing the needs of all members of the community when making decisions. 

There is a significant amount of work undertaken on projects prior to Councillors endorsing projects, including project briefings in which Councillors can seek or request additional information from officers. Please note that Councillors fully consider a broad range of items that impact the community, inclusive of community feedback, when making decisions on projects.

For example, the Park Street design went through two Council meetings prior to being released to the community for feedback. Councillors resolved not to release the initially tabled design, voting to request changes to the design that would better serve their community. These changes were undertaken prior to Councillors voting to release the designs for community feedback and ultimately endorsing the project. 

Council acknowledges that not all projects that receive endorsement are universally supported by the varied cross section of our community. Inevitable there will be community members that disagree with decisions made.”   

Given that the protected bike lanes in Albert Street had not been announced, let alone constructed at the time of the Council decision to proceed with the Park Street Streetscape Improvement incorporating protected bike paths, it seems to be irrelevant for City of Port Phillip. A review and the removal of the protected bike paths seems to be a logical revision, but not for our City of Port Phillip and it seems Councillors are determined to plough ahead.

Even if you are fully supportive of protected bike paths generally, this nonsensical duplication and expense should not proceed and you should write to your Councillors and let them know. Here are their contact details: https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/about-the-council/who-we-are/your-councillors

Council have deferred a decision to permanently close the Bridge Street and Glover Street intersection on Pickles Street after a 12-month trial. The delay follows resident’s concerns about a motion to permanently close the intersection on the Council agenda on 15 November. 

Residents are seeking a better solution to improve safety and manage traffic flow at this intersection on Pickles Street in the interests of all users and to manage traffic speed in Pickles Street. Concerns have been raised about the Council’s evaluation report, recommendations, and the consultation process.  

Residents have informed Council staff of vehicles being driven over the median closure, making unsafe U turns at either end of the median closure to access both Bridge and Glover Streets, ‘Keep left’ signs being knocked down and increased danger for cyclists and pedestrians crossing the road at the median strip. 

It is surprising that none of these dangerous behaviours have been acknowledged in the evaluation report when the behaviours continue to be observed daily.

The evaluation report inexplicably states that “community members were encouraged to provide feedback on their experiences and perceptions of the changes introduced”. 

Some residents have called for the installation of traffic lights as a preferred solution to address safety concerns, but this option has not been considered in the Council evaluation, possibly because of cost.

Others suggested that the safety issues can be relieved by keeping Pickles Street open but removing the ability to turn right onto Pickles Street from Bridge Street and Glover Street. Residents could turn right at Liardet Street instead which has traffic lights enabling a safer turn across Pickles.

The Council evaluation indicated there had been no negative impact on adjacent Streets despite evidence to the contrary. Residents have observed that the modified intersection has created issues for residents in adjacent streets. Residents are concerned about access to Cruikshank Street which is one way towards the south to Liardet St from Bridge St and one way to the north from Bridge St towards Spring St East. This means a circular route may be required from any direction in order to enter Cruikshank St.

Before the right hand turn from Pickles into Bridge was blocked off, drivers coming from the north, could turn right into Bridge, then left into Cruikshank as well as by turning right from Bridge St coming from the west. Now drivers from the north have to go south down Pickles Street turn right into Liardet, right into Esplanade St E, right into Bridge, then right into Cruikshank. From Richardson St the same convoluted approach is required.

Regarding the impact on other adjacent streets, many drivers (coming from North going South) previously turned right at Pickles St to get to the west via Bridge Street which goes directly to Bay Street where there are traffic lights. Residents now observe a significant number of drivers turning right from Pickles Street into Spring Street East or driving across Pickles Street from Mountain Street with the same goal. Spring Street East is a very narrow road not designed for the load safely carried along Bridge St.

Because motorists can no longer drive across Pickles Street from Bridge St to Glover St, or turn right into Glover St to go East to South Melbourne and Albert Park there is now increased traffic from Pickles Street into Tribe St and Mountain Street. There also appears to be increased traffic into /along Richardson Street.

It is alarming that Council traffic management staff appear to have ignored resident’s concerns about this intersection and traffic speed prior to commencement of the trial and during the trial. It is not unreasonable to assume that Council had a predetermined outcome prior to the commencement of the trial and community consultation. 

Residents were unaware of any opportunity for residents to give feedback and contribute to the evaluation report in either an informal or formal manner.  

My mother is an immigrant – and was a commercial cleaner – 7 days a week.

I am an immigrant – and in my youth – I went to work with mum – as a commercial cleaner.

I’ve cleaned Police stations, Pubs and pokie venues in my time.

The work was dirty and heavy…

As an adult – I hate cleaning - but I have a commercial understanding of the process and the costs and everything else in between. My mum doesn’t speak, read, or write in English - so I managed her business while completing High School – and still manager her affairs.

In saying that – I am really disappointed with the poor response by CoPP Street Cleaners - to my Snap Send Solve on the 23rd OCTOBER. 

In some cases – the foot path was done but the pigeon poo splashing’s on the building millimetres away -  were ignored. Images of before and after attached for reference.

Really wouldn’t have taken much to do it properly. It’s a pressure hose…  in the ‘real world’. In my world as an immigrant – we would have lost out jobs over that, lost contracts. 

In council world? What happens? Is someone accountable? Responsible? 

Other than a small section  of footpath – the rest of the street was totally ignored along the South Melbourne Bakery footpath, fish and chips shop, the bus stop, at the corner of Clarendon and Park – My Local. Go down there – you can see years of grime, pigeon and dog excrement.

Why did the council cleaners or contractors clean HALF the poo  – and leave the rest? Shouldn’t the poo be cleaned regularly?

I escalated it via Snap Send Solve immediately AGAIN at the time, and responded to the email advising my issue had been ‘closed’ to let them know it wasn’t completed.

Nothings been done since. No regular cleaning. No removal of the rest of the poo. 

There is a Pigeon Poo Problem on Clarendon Street. We are sick of the dirty streets and pigeon poo. It’s unhealthy, unhygienic, and unsightly.

I have written to Councillors but they have busy schedules and some have families and even full-time jobs, but there is a problem with getting things done ‘properly’ around here… but going through the officers is like talking to robots.

There are numerous businesses on that strip that are pretty upset at this and the grime, and at council for not ‘looking after the streets’.

There are many people that don’t even bother complaining, as they don’t think it will make a difference.

I know we have a few more riff-raff members of the community here in South Melbourne rather than the 'poshy' Port Melbourne – but we deserve clean streets too… In fact, we need ours cleaned more often to deal with the meth addicts, public housing, and public transport routes.

Please help and sort out the street cleaning.

As many of you have experienced, the Port Phillip council changed waste contractors in July, with terrible results. Whole streets were being missed, individual houses and laneways missed, bins not collected in some cases for more than a week, and bins left on roads, driveways and lying on the ground. 

The council and Councillors received a huge response back from the community. As a result of this poor outcome for our community (thankfully it has dramatically improved since) an independent, external review is being undertaken. The following is a summary of the review and the outcomes you can expect:

• An independent external review is underway to review the circumstances surrounding the kerbside waste collection issues that occurred following the commencement of Council’s new contractor for kerbside waste services, Citywide, from Monday 3 July 2023.
• While 90 per cent of kerbside bin collections were operating normally during that period, the number of missed bins and repeated missed collections, and time taken to rectify the issues, were unacceptable. The frustration of our residents who were impacted by these waste collection issues is completely understandable.  
• Following completion of the review, Council anticipates that a draft report will be completed this side of Christmas. Ultimately a report will go to Council in February, when Council meetings resume after the summer break. The report findings should also be publicly available for our community to view.
• The review intends to determine what led to the large number of missed bins and why. The report will provide recommendations on any changes and other learnings that may be implemented to avoid similar issues occurring again in the future.

Please see the link below for more information. https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/.../waste-review-underway

 Rising Sun Hotel

 Prince Bandroom

 Middle Park Hotel

 Prince Alfred

 Esplanade - St Kilda

 Inkerman Hotel

 George Lane

 Iddy Biddy

 Republica

 Cornerstone

 Jimmy ONeils

 Captain Baxter

 Palais Theatre

 Memo Music Hall

 Recital Centre Melbourne

 Alex Theatre - St Kilda

 Arts Centre - Melbourne

 Crown - Southbank

 Astor - St Kilda

 Palace Dendy - Brighton

 Classic - Elsternwick

 Hoyts - Docklands

 Palace - Brighton Bay

 Village - Jam Factory

 Gasworks

 Whats On in St Kilda

 Jewish Museum of Australia

 Whats On in Port Phillip

 Events @ South Melb Market

 Markets in the Area

 Special Events

 Middle Park Bowls Events