In Brief
The Beacon Cove Precinct Committee has identified a range of possibilities for the public areas of the foreshore and following consultation with stakeholders and the community it has published a study of the precinct - Port Melbourne Waterfront Revitalisation (2005)
There are important issues to be addressed: pedestrian access along the waterfront, traffic and freight congestion, the improvement of public spaces and the future uses of focus locations such as Princes Pier.
The information provided on this page outlines some options on addressing these issues, and formed the basis of the community consultation.
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What's happening on the waterfront?
Why is Port Melbourne important?
Port Melbourne is a rich part of the history of Melbourne's settlement and continues to be an active place of trade and travel from all over the world. As one of Melbourne's most significant waterfront locations, Port Melbourne is an important part of the capital city identity and it deserves a setting that reflects its important heritage, and realises its potential as an exciting and vibrant place.
The precinct has changed a great deal over the past decade from its predominantly industrial identity. New demands on the area call for a mature townscape with well designed buildings and public spaces that support the vibrancy of this capital city waterfront.
Station Pier is a gateway for interstate and international tourism. Spirit of Tasmania Ferries between Port Melbourne and Devonport can carry up to 1400 passengers and 400 vehicles per trip. In 2005/06 33 cruise ships berthed at Station Pier which is a record number of visits to Melbourne. As well as accommodating interstate and international tourism the precinct around Station Pier also needs to work well for the local community and Melbourne visitors.
The Port Phillip Bay Trail Network around Port Melbourne waterfront needs further development for its pedestrians, cyclists and rollerblading users.
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Five key sites
The Precinct Committee has identified five key sites for improvement along the Port Melbourne Foreshore.
- The Foreshore Promenade (including the promenade between Station and Princes Piers)
- Princes Pier
- Waterfront Place
- Beach Street
- Beach/Bay Street Intersection
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Site 1 - Foreshore Promenade
The design of the promenade provides better beach access, separates bicycles and pedestrians and provides a wide safe promenade for users.
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Site 2 - Princes Pier
The State Government announced that it will be committing an estimated $14 million to refurbish Princes Pier. The first 196 - metres of the pier will be fully restored, beyond that the decking will be removed, with the original pylons fully restored. The piles will be retained as a heritage and sculptural centrepiece.
The intent of the plan is to provide a multi purpose waterfront venue and an accessible area for recreational boating.
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Site 3 - Waterfront Place
Waterfront Place was to be a civic square but now functions only as a car park. By resolving the freight and car movement issues it can be a piazza at the heart of an active attractive space for people to enjoy next to an efficient and active working port at Station Pier
The concepts presented address the problems associated with the current TT-Lines operations and vehicle congestion that often dominates Waterfront Place as well as aiming to improve Waterfront Place as an attractive pedestrian piazza enclosed by active building frontages and with facilities and services for local residents and visitors to enjoy.
Various options are being explored that give pedestrians priority over cars and create interactive public spaces and relationships with buildings that define the piazza, including the existing foodstore, former child care centre, gymnasium and the TT-Lines truck/car park.
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Site 4 - Beach Street
There has always been an interaction between maritime activity on the waterfront and Bay Street shopping. Landscape improvements to Beach Street will strengthen the links between Station Pier and Bay Street.
Different design treatments have been explored to extend the existing promenade space, enhance walking, consider the option of a tram service, further establish active edges to the foreshore promenade and to strengthen Beach Street's identity. The sections below shows a range of options for reconfiguring the profile of Beach Street in order to promote an enhanced public promenade and definition of Port Melbourne Waterfront.
Option 1
Reduce the current width of Beach Street between Waterfront Place and Bay Street, from a divided three-four-lane carriageway to a two-way road. This extends the profile of the promenade and soft landscaping could define a possible waterfront tramline. Angle parking relocated to current median.
Option 2
Narrows the overall width of Beach Street, as with Option 1, but removes the median and shifts the central axis of the two-way carriageway in order to extend the width of the pedestrian space on both sides of the street. In doing so, it provides a wider footpath to restaurants and cafes located along the eastern edge of Beach Street.
Option 3
Extends the theme of Option 1 but introduces a queueing lane to alleviate TT-Line parking on Station Pier.
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Site 5 - Beach/Bay Street Intersection
The Port Melbourne Yacht Club is located at the end of Bay Street where the historic Town Pier once existed. The option below show increased connectivity between Bay Street and the waterfront. This can be achieved by giving pedestrians priority across the Bay Street and Beach Street intersection which is currently dominated by truck and car traffic. From a precinct perspective this completes the set of visible cultural markers around the foreshore, along with Waterfront Place, Princes Pier and Sandridge Beach.
Finger pier - option 1
Introduces the concept of a public finger pier near the Port Melbourne Yacht Club providing for water access and local ferries. Greater definition of piazza spaces and possible local art/market areas are explored through the provision of a hard stand in front of the old boat sheds. Significant soft landscaping would help define the threshold between Bay Street and Beach Street and narrow the pedestrian crossing from the west side of Bay Street to the waterfront walk.
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Whats next?
The Port Melbourne Waterfront Revitalisation study recommends an integrated precinct approach to improvements, with various planning matters being resolved over time along with staged capital works. Funding priorities for capital works are yet to be determined.
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More information
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer phone ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for the Place Manager Port Melbourne.
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