Port Melbourne and Fishermans Bend change. Houses are changed or demolished and new forms of housing take their place. Port Houses records some of these changes.
Houses can be like ill people. They go downhill, and then one day, they're gone.
Every time I walked past this house, it looked more neglected, the garden more overgrown. It had a very nice japonica in the front garden. And then one day, the house had gone.
8 September 2013 'It was a delight to know you'
Marking the life of George Jeffreys (1934 to 20 July 2013) born and died in this small area of Port Melbourne.
George loved classical music, his bike and sitting in the sun in the front yard of his home.
5 August 2013 Over 1 million Australian homes now have roof top solar systems installed, according to the Climate Commission's recent report: The Critical Decade - Australia's Future - Solar Energy. By the end of June 2013, 96 of those were installed in Port Melbourne, generating 225.752 kw, according to a report by postcode on the Clean Energy Regulator's website. That doesn't seem very many or very much for a population of 14,508. Port Melbourne has 8,056 dwellings of which 10% are separate house dwellings (2011 census) This suggests we could be doing more in Port to increase the uptake of solar panels. By way of contrast, the great infographics on the Commission's website highlight that Werribee has the highest uptake of solar hot water systems of any postcode. This Port family reports:
'We have a 12 panel 3kW system. It came on line in October 2012 and to date we have generated 2152 kWh according to our smart meter! In our last billing period (92 days) we generated 386 kWh and received $119.80 for our solar contribution.'
There are some fantastic resources to assist - suggest the Clean Energy Council as one.
A feature in Domain (3/8) on front fences prompts a post on front fences in Port Melbourne. In a heritage overlay area, a planning permit is required for a front fence. Some people think that is too onerous. Port Phillip Council provides guidelinesfor fences in heritage overlay areas to assist. There's a lot to consider in a front fence.
The fence marks the line between private property and the street - the public domain. It can do that in a 'keep out' kind of way, or in a way that creates more of a dialogue between the house and the street.
'Heritage overlay' may suggest picket fences. In one block, I saw some fine contemporary fences and a harsh interpretation of the guidelines.
contemporary picket fence
harsh and horizontal - fits the house but not the neighbouring houses
Port Housesand Port Placesare projects by Janet Bolitho.
Port Melbourne has a great diversity of housing from different periods. Port Houses takes an interest in dwellings of all kinds as well as debates about planning in Port Melbourne and environs.
Port Houses attempts to record every house demolished in Port Melbourne and what replaces it. Port Houses also records the vegetation present on a site before demolition, and what replaces it.
More recently, Janet has been documenting development sites in Fishermans Bend and Montague.
Janet was appointed to the Fishermans Bend Development Board in 2018. She is an active member of the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society.
She has a Masters in planning from RMIT, a background in history studies and a period from 2004 to 2012 as Sandridge Ward Councillor on the Port Phillip Council. She was Mayor of the City of Port Phillip in 2006 and 2007.
Contact Port Houses
If you have photos, stories or any other information that would add depth and interest to Port Houses, please contact me at janet.bolitho AT gmail.com