At a packed community meeting hosted by the Residents of Port Phillip on 18 May, around 120 residents provided feedback on Council’s ill-conceived Safe Travel Strategy and Action Plan.   Deputy Mayor Mears, Councillors Hardy and Jay heard residents’ concerns over the City of Port Phillip’s plans to introduce new bike lanes, remove carparking, one-way street conversions and reduce speed limits despite ongoing and overwhelming rejection of similar infrastructure by many residents over the past few years. It’s time to act and make sure Council has your feedback too – read on to learn how to have your say.

A concerned resident presents a compelling argument that whereas everyone supports safer streets and reducing road trauma, Council’s proposed strategy reads as an ideological anti-car document rather than a balanced and practical transport plan for a dense inner-city municipality. Read on for another perspective on Council’s insidious war on cars.

The recent vote to strengthen community safety by-laws was the culmination of much debate in Council and the wider community. In this edition of Port Philip Matters, Cr. Thomann shares an insightful, well-researched, and empathetic reflection on why he chose to support this critical initiative and how he navigated the emotionally charged circumstances leading up to the vote. Read on for the full story.

The City of Port Phillip is currently considering expanding bike lanes along Grey Street. Many residents are concerned the proposal is becoming one-dimensional and disconnected from the realities of daily life for the people who actually live here. This is not simply a transport issue. It is about safety, accessibility, fairness, liveability, and whether residents are genuinely being heard before major changes are imposed on established neighbourhoods. Clearly, Council’s war on cars continues to rage. Read on for more details about this ill-conceived proposal.

A proposed 7-storey hotel in one of Melbourne’s most significant heritage precincts has been unanimously opposed by the City of Port Phillip — but under the Allan government’s Development Facilitation Program, the Minister for Planning alone decides its fate. On the night of 6 May 2026, every one of the nine elected councillors of the City of Port Phillip voted to formally oppose a proposed hotel development at the corner of Carlisle and Havelock Streets in St Kilda. The vote was unanimous — 9 to 0. Not a single abstention. Yet under the Victorian government’s Development Facilitation Program, that unanimous democratic verdict carries no binding weight. The Minister for Planning alone decides. Read on to learn the background of this sorry saga and what you can do to join the fight-back.

Do you fancy a mid-winter evening of good cheer for a good cause? Well, put 30 July in your diary for the 2026 Residents of Port Phillip annual fundraising event! Read on for more information.