On the fourth Wednesday of the month Council holds a Planning Committee Meeting. These meetings differ from Ordinary Meetings of Council since they specifically focus on planning applications brought before the City of Port Phillip.

Tonight’s meeting included two applications in Montague Ward, including a development in Albert Park which was amended to incorporate a rear setback given the neighbourhood character of Little Tribe Street, as well as a residential hotel proposed for City Road within Fishermans Bend.

Lastly, Council considered an application to amend planning permit for the change of use of Connolly’s Public House from restaurant to bar and adjust the category to on-premises license, as well as an increase in patron numbers, trading hours and live music.

This application received considerable attention with roughly equal amounts of objectors and supporters – an important role of Council is to balance competing demands, such as lively venues on Bay Street with the concerns of abutting residents.

As a result, Council endorsed the application subject to a slight revision in trading hours (11pm Sunday to Thursday, while retaining trading until midnight for Friday and Saturday) and ceasing outdoor service an hour before closing time. Coupled with noise attenuation conditions to reduce the potential for noise to carry beyond the venue, this should provide a suitable balance for our community.