Mayor Frank O'Connor and Councillors invite you to drop in, say hello, ask a question or bring an issue to their attention at neighbourhood Council engagement tents being held from September to December 2009.  The tent sessions will run from 9am to 12pm. 

See the following list of sites and dates for the tent event closest to you:

• Garden City, Port Melbourne - Saturday 7 November - Centre Avenue shopping strip (opposite Fisherman's Bend Community Centre)
• East St Kilda - Saturday 21 November - Carlisle Street (in front of Priceline retail store) 
• St Kilda and West St Kilda - Saturday 28 November - Fitzroy Street, between Grey Street and Princes Street (in front of Moss retail store)
• Middle Park - Saturday 5 December - Armstrong Street shops (cnr. Richardson Street)

Neighbourhood Tents already held: 

• Elwood - Elwood Community Market - Saturday 5 September 
• Albert Park - Bridport Street shopping strip - Saturday 19 September  
• St Kilda - Veg Out St Kilda Farmers' Market - Saturday 3 October
• Albert Park and Port Melbourne - Gasworks Park Farmers' Market - Saturday 17 October
• Ripponlea - Ripponlea shopping strip, Glen Eira Road - Friday 23 October
• South Melbourne - South Melb Market - Saturday 31 October

Feedback and Comments Invited:

Did you attend one of the neighbourhood Council tents?  Is it a useful thing to do?  Help us improve Council and community conversations.  Go to this link to give us a quick snapshot of your opinions and ideas.      

For further information contact the Community Governance Unit on 9209 6506.

Community input is sought on Perce White Reserve to assist Council in the development of an updated master plan for the Reserve’s future development and management program.

Proposals being considered & developed for the reserve include:

    * Protecting important native plant s & animals
    * Enhancing the overall visual appearance
    * Improved access to & through the reserve
    * Directional & interpretive signage
    * Increased safety & accessibility for all
    * Upgrading fencing & pathways

For more information see Landscape & Urban Design

Council is currently hosting a range of ways for people to contribute their ideas and opinions regarding trees and nature strips. 

1.  Tree Policy Community Reference Group - nominations closed
Nominations for the Tree Policy Community Reference Group have closed.  For more information contact Joanne McNeill on 9209 6289 or email ospace@portphillip.vic.gov.au. 

2.  Trees and Nature Strips - online survey
Council is seeking community opinions about local trees and nature strips to help devleop a new tree management policy in Port Phillip.  Follow this link and share your ideas and opinions.  The survey only takes a few minutes and your responses are anonymous. 

3.  Tree Summit - register now
You are invited to participate in a Tree Summit coming your way in Novemeber 2009.  The dates and program are not finalised but email your contact details to ospace@portphillip.vic.gov.au or ring Joanne McNeill on 9209 6289 for further information and an invitation. 

By participating in the Tree Summit you will contribute to decision making about how trees and naturestrips are managed in the future.  Climate change, drought conditions, increasing population and density,and changing community needs are all placing pressure on our trees and naturestrips. 

Do you live, work or cycle around Cecil Street, South Melbourne?

The Council is building a bike path in the area and before we prepare a detailed design we want to hear from you:

• What do you love about Cecil Street?
• Do you have any ideas for how the bike path might work?
• What are your suggested priorities for improvement?

Your feedback will help us to complete Council's strategy to provide a quality bike route from Cecil Street South Melbourne, through Albert Park Reserve and along Fitzroy Street St Kilda. 

For more information call 9209 6229 or email place@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Proposed Changes to Dog Off-Leash Areas (October 2009)  

As a result of extensive public feedback (650 responses) and analysis of issues by animal management staff, Council considered a number of changes designed to improve the experience of all users of the parks and beaches that allow dogs to be off leash.  Public feedback on these proposed changes was sought and submissions were received until 20 September 2009.  Submissions were also invited at the Council Meeting on 26 October 2009, which was held at the St Kilda Town Hall.
For more information contact the Animal Management unit on 9209 6777.

Council Meetings - Procedures Local Law (October 2009)
Council is required to have a local law to regulate procedures at Council and special committee meetings.  The deadline for comments and submissions regarding proposed amendments to this Local Law was Friday 23 October 2009.
For more information contact Norm McClelland on 9209 6589 or email nmcclell@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

St Kilda Esplanade Arts & Crafts Market Governance & Management Review (October 2009)
The Esplanade Market review was conducted to provide an independent and objective assessment of the management and governance associated with the market.  Council received the review findings and asked for public comment about its proposed implementation action plan.  Deadline for consultation was 21 October 2009.
For more information contact Cynthia Neville on 9209 6530 or email cneville@portphillip.vic.gov.au. 

Road Management Plan Amendment (October 2009)
Council recently reviewed its Road Management Plan to assess its current inspection, maintenance and repairs taking into account community expectations, service delivery priorities and Council's financial capacity.  You can download the Draft Road Management Plan and the associated Council Report.  To view changes to the inspection of roads please refer to section 3.9 of the Council Report.  The deadline for written comments on the proposed amendments was Friday 23 October 2009.
For more information contact David Elson on 9209 6550 or email delson@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Youth Members for St Kilda Festival Review Committee (October 2009)
Council has appointed two youth members to the St Kilda Festival Review Committee after calling for Expressions of Interest from applicants between 16-25 years of age.  The Committee will meet a minimum of four times throughout the review process, and will cease to exist at the conclusion of the review in December.
For more information contact Sophie Fernandes on 9209 6490 or email stkildafestival@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Tree Management Policy Reference Group (September 2009)
Council advertised for volunteer members for a Tree Management Policy Reference Group.  Council sought a broad representation and mix of skills, neighbourhoods, age, gender, ethnic and cultural diversity from the Port Phillip community .  The deadline for nominations was extended from 4 September 2009 to 18 September 2009.
For more information click here or read the Terms of Reference, or email ospace@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Nominations for Sustainable Environment Community Reference Committee (July 2009)
Council sought nominations from local change agents with community connections and involvement to be proactive within Port Phillip about climate change action. The Sustainable Environment Community Reference committee will meet every two months to advise Council on sustainable environment issues and identify strategic options. Participation is on a voluntary basis.

Disability Framework Consultations (May 2009)
A series of consultation forums were held in April and May 2009 plus an online survey was used to inform the development of a City of Port Phillip Disability Framework.
For more information contact Alexius Pepper, MetroAccess Project Officer by phone on 9209 6829 or TTy on 9209 6713, or email apepper@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

St Kilda West Beach (April 2009)
Consultations on-site held during April related to planning to improve the landscaping around West Beach to improve access, amenity and the environment.  An online survey questionnaire was also available.
For more information contact Alison Breach on 9209 6587 or email breach@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Conversations with Councillors - Stage 1 Consultation to develop a 2009 - 2013 Council Plan (March 2009) 
A series of meetings and conversation tents were held during February and March to inform Council's development of a 4 year strategic Council Plan.
For more information contact Rowena McLean on 9209 6432 or email rmclean@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Catani Gardens - playground and picnic area improvements (March 2009)
Following a community consultation meeting in October 2008, a further consultation session was held in March.  For further information, contact Janna Glenn on 9209 6877 or email jglenn@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

Luna Park Interchange Renewal (February 2009)
A partnership project with Yarra Trams to realign the existing tram tracks and provide a new tram stop closer to the entrance to Luna Park.  Council's part of the project relates to roads and public spaces and Council hosted consultation sessions in February 2009.  

Port Melbourne Waterfront Revitalisation (February 2009)
Two workshops (6/2/09 and 7/2/09) were held to discuss challenges and opportunities for future directions for the Port Melbourne waterfront.
For further information, click here and/or here or contact Steve Scott on 9209 6309 or email sjscott@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Skate Park Community Reference Group (February 2009)
Council sought nominations to join a Reference Group to provide advice, consider criteria and weightings, and consider sites.
More information can be found at www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/st_kilda_skate_park. 

Garden City Reserve (February 2009)
Following a community consultation meeting in October 2008, a play space design was put on display for feedback in February.
For more information contact Rebecca Ramage via ASSIST on 9209677.

Coventry Street Connections (South Melbourne) - Commencement of Stage 1 Works
Coventry Street Connections is a streetscape upgrade to improve the link between the light rail station, South Melbourne Market, Coventry Street shops, and the Clarendon Street commercial area.
For further information, visit http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/ or phone Tanja Heil on 9209 6241. 

Jacoby Reserve (Cowderoy Street) Playground Upgrade
For information contact Janna Glenn on 9209 6877 or email jglenn@portphillip.vic.gov.au.