“Hooning is a major problem in many areas across Melbourne including the City of Port Phillip. Local ‘hot spots’ include Beach Street, Williamstown Road and Station Pier,” - Eddie Micallef, President of Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association (BCNA).

This special issue of The Beacon explains the problem, action taken by BCNA and provides statements from Inspector Jacki Kline Victoria Police; City of Port Phillip, Mayor Cr Marcus Pearl; and Mr Martin Foley MP.

BCNA takes action

BCNA has made significant progress in tackling the issue of hoon driving, a very complex issue involving public safety, noise and general disruption. The matter was raised with the BCNA in 2020. A subgroup - the Port Melbourne Road Safety Group (PMRSG) - was formed to focus on the issue. The group is co-ordinated by the BCNA and works with a number of organisations and individuals including Ward councillors.

The PMRSG has taken a broad approach involving the City of Port Phillip, the State Government and other neighbourhood associations. For our neighbourhood, the Station Pier area is of particular concern as it has become a ‘hoon meeting place’ creating quality-of-life issues for residents. Some residents have elected to leave Beacon Cove as a consequence. The hoon behaviour in this tourist area is negatively impacting on visitors. So far, the PMRSG has:

• Petitioned the Council requesting action to combat the escalating hoon problem
• The installation of a Victoria Police camera above Station Pier in the summer period
• Petitioned Council for the introduction of a mobile CCTV camera in strategic locations around Port Melbourne, anti-hoon signage and greater police attention to Beacon Cove and Station Pier
• Developed a budget submission for permanent CCTV cameras to be installed at Station Pier and hoon hot spots on Beach Street, boom gates in the Station Pier precinct and speed humps in the Station Pier parking area.
• Called for anti-hoon Local Laws successfully used in some Melbourne municipalities.

Through the BCNA, the group has met with a senior advisor to the Minister of Transport and the Road Safety Head of Road Safety Victoria resulting in a Hooning Community Reference Group being established. This review will include community consultation. The Beacon Cove community will be part of these consultations.

Police action

Inspector Jacki Kline, Port Phillip Area Commander, said that Victoria Police will have a greater presence patrolling roads in Port Phillip and Stonnington looking out for reckless, erratic and dangerous driving behaviour. This is part of a state-wide response to hoon driving, using our powers to impound cars to keep dangerous drivers off our roads. We will continue to work with local government agencies to deter hoon gatherings and look at new ways to target offenders.

She encouraged the community to report information involving hoon driving to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. In an emergency, call 000. All information provided to police is assessed and investigated.

Council action

Cr Marcus Pearl, Mayor, City of Port Phillip said Council Officers will be presenting a report to Council on the steps that can be taken to address hoon behaviour. This includes the possibility of implementing a hoon Local Law to stop large groups of cars in industrial areas or carparks where peace is being disrupted, and other more targeted solutions. No formal request has been made by Victoria Police to implement changes to our Local Laws as yet.

Government action

Martin Foley, MLA Albert Park, said that the State Government is establishing a Hooning Community Reference Group. It will bring together community members and experts in road safety across government, enforcement and research bodies to develop localised action plans in areas where hooning has been identified.

He added that community engagement sessions will be held to support the work of the reference group. BCNA has an important role to play in this process. Local knowledge and experience will be essential to the success of the group established in our region. Martin thanked BCNA and local residents for the work undertaken to date on behalf of the neighbourhood to put a spotlight on hooning.