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Latest Information

The Community Pulse is constantly gathering data on how the Port Phillip community is going with its journey towards sustainability. Here we present the latest information we have gathered with a brief analysis of each measure.

Each graph is given a rating. If things are improving it gets a green smile, if things are pretty static it gets a yellow straight face, and if things are heading away from sustainability it gets a red sad face.

Crime  (Crime and Safety)

Source: Victoria Police.

The above graph shows that the total number of crimes reported in Port Phillip continues to decline. 2010/11 represents an all time low with 8,962 crimes recorded (9,199 per population of 100,000) down 6% on last year with 9,517 crimes registered in 2009/10 (9,902 per population 100,000). In 2010/11 there were 1,128 crimes recorded against the person (1,158 per 100,000 population) and 6,587 crimes recorded against property (6,418 per 100,000 population) representing an increase of 1% and decrease of 3% respectively on last year's figures. Drug related crime decreased by 13% and other^ crime decreased by 27%. While the current population in the City of Port Phillip is estimated at 94,374, figures are averaged per 100,000 to permit comparison across municipalities. In comparison with the other inner metro divisions total crime is higher in Port Phillip than in Stonnington (7902.3 per population of 100,000), though lower than Yarra (11928.6 per population 100,000). The Victorian state average is 6508 per population of 100,000.

^ ‘Other’ crime is defined as: Going Equipped to Steal, Justice Procedures, Regulated Public Order, Weapons/Explosives, Harassment, Behaviour in Public Order and Other. 

For more information see Victoria Police website.

 

Residential Water Use (Sustainable Usage)

The above graph shows the volume of water consumed by South East Water-metered residential properties in Port Phillip. The total residential water consumed in 2010/11 was 5867.73ML representing an increase of 85% on last year’s total of 3175.74ML The percentage increase in the volume of water consumed per household (metered property) from 2009/10 to 2010/11 was not as great: 54%; 119KL per household in 2010/11 compared to 77KL per household in 2009/2010. The difference between the two percentage increases is due to there being a greater number of properties metered for water use in 2010/11 (49,196 compared to 41,041 in 2009/10). Since 2001/02 the number of metered properties has increased between 2-4% each year from 38,528 in 2001/02 to 46,574 in 2008/09. In this respect 2009/10 appears to be an aberration, with the number of metered properties decreasing by 12%.  

The Port Phillip Enviro e-Hub is a fantastic resource for water saving techniques. Find out how you can harvest your household water here.

 

Rooming houses (Housing Affordability)

Source: Gary Spivak, Housing Development Officer CoPP * This excludes 17 community housing rooming houses that have been converted to self-contained accommodation, eg bedsitters, and are consequently no longer registered under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. However, they are gazetted as rooming houses under the Victorian Government Gazette.

The above graph shows that the number of privately run rooming houses and rooming house beds in Port Phillip has declined since 1997 by 43% (houses) and 51%(beds). Since 2007 private rooming houses and rooming house beds increased by 27% and 11% respectively. The number of community rooming houses and rooming house beds increased by 73% between 1997 and 2007. Since 2007, the number of community run rooming houses and rooming house beds has decreased by 41% and 42%. The total number of rooming houses and rooming beds has decreased by 17% and 25% since 1997.

 

Penguin Population (Local Native Plants and Animals) 

Prior to 1986 not much was known about the breakwater population of Little Penguins. Research tabled by Mike Cullen and Neil Blake both enabled greater insight into the breeding and feeding habits of this now iconic native species and underpinned the protection of its breakwater home (protected since 1992 by the St Kilda Breakwater Management Plan 1992). The above graph is an estimation of the penguin population on the St. Kilda Breakwater based on the count of breeding sites. This data has been collected by Earthcare St Kilda twice monthly since 1998. 

High rainfall and nest raids have effected penguin breeding this year. In 2010/11 the number of Little Penguins caught and recorded along the St Kilda Breakwater was 812 (down 33% on last year's high watermark of 1215). Breeding sites also decreased by 33%, from 262 in 2009/10 to 175 in 2010/11.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (The BoM), 2010 was the third wettest year on record. As evidenced by a higher than usual number of poor/unacceptable water quality ratings by the EPA, the water quality of Port Phillip Bay has been affected by litter and other contaminants running through inundated stormwater drains into the bay and washing onto the breakwater.

To participate in fortnightly litter surveys contact the Community Pulse Project Officer

To find out more about our resident penguin population go to Earthcare St Kilda .

To find out what else is happening around Port Phillip Bay contact the Port Phillip Bay-keeper. 

Coming Up...

Community Events in 2012

As part of the Community Pulse Home Grown Sustinability series.

 Workshop Title Date Location
 
Cheese-making Workshop TBA Port Phillip EcoCentre, St Kilda
Sourdough Bread-making Workshop TBA

VegOut Community Gardens, St Kilda

To inquire about upcoming workshops or to make a booking contact the Community Pulse Project Officer via the ASSIST service centre 9209 6777

For more great info about what is happening in your hood check out the City of Port Phillip's Community Environment e-hub

More information

For more information on the above workshops or the Community Pulse project, use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for The Community Pulse project officer.