Investing in our piers and jetties

Piers and jetties play a significant role in Victorian communities, supporting commercial fishing, marine businesses, recreation and tourism.

Plans and frameworks

Sustainable Local Ports Framework

The Victorian Government has committed $2.5 million to implement the Sustainable Local Ports Framework to provide a consistent planning and decision-making pathway. 

The department has commenced implementation of the framework to improve local port management. 

The framework outcomes will assist government in prioritising and directing future investment to where it is needed most.

The framework incorporates four principles reflecting government’s role in local ports: Local economy and jobs growth, tourism and recreation, emergency response and community and cultural value.

Local area plans will be developed for key precincts identified through the framework and guided by community and stakeholder engagement.

Download the Sustainable Local Ports Framework [PDF 191 KB].

Williamstown Maritime Precinct Framework

The Victorian Government has invested $200,000 to deliver the Williamstown Maritime Precinct Framework  designed around the needs of those who use the area and to create a vision for the precinct whilst remaining true to its legacy as a heritage port.

We worked with community, industry, government, traditional owners and local council to develop this framework which identifies opportunities to guide future use and development of the precinct underpinned by a series of strategic directions and precinct options.

Download the Williamstown Maritime Precinct Framework [PDF 5.53 MB]. 

Sandringham Harbour Precinct 

Parks Victoria, the local port manager, is preparing a local area plan for Sandringham Harbour Precinct which also considers future needs for a public pier at Hampton.

Through the appointment of a specialist maritime consultant and engagement with stakeholders, a draft plan is being prepared. 

In addition to confirming the channel access, swing mooring and off-the-beach boating requirements, the draft plan will identify options for Hampton Pier.

Parks Victoria anticipates the draft plan will be released for public comment in the first half of 2022.

Learn more about the Sandringham Harbour Precinct.

Current projects

St Kilda Pier Redevelopment 

The Victorian Government is investing $53 million to deliver a rebuilt St Kilda Pier, boosting tourism, adding more green space and preserving the iconic landmark for generations to come.

The investment will deliver a new curved pier design, providing visitors with more open space and improved public facilities, while also preserving the historic kiosk.

This design was selected after an extensive community consultation process.

Work on the new St Kilda Pier has commenced with Simpson Constructions as the lead construction partner.

The current pier will remain open for visitors to enjoy until the new pier is fully functional in late 2024.

Learn more about the St Kilda Pier Redevelopment.

State Budget commitments 2022-23

The Victorian Government is supporting tourism, recreational, cultural activities, and local economies and communities with a $18 million investment in piers and jetties in the State Budget 2022/23.

We've prioritised this critical package of works under the Sustainable Local Ports Framework that helps us manage and maintain our Victoria’s local port infrastructure in a fair, consistent, and sustainable way. 

Hampton Pier reconstruction

The Department, Parks Victoria and Bayside Council are preparing the Sandringham Harbour Precinct Plan. 

The plan will consider the future requirements for the Hampton Pier within the harbour and adjoining land use by businesses, sporting clubs, cultural groups, and the community. 

The Victoria Government is funding the reconstruction of the pier. 

Parks Victoria has already engaged with the community and we're planning further public consultation after the release of the draft plan.

Community feedback will help us in finalising the plan. Design works will start once we when we finalise the plan.

Learn more about the Sandringham Harbour Precinct Plan. 

Rye Pier reconstruction

Funding under the $24 million Building Works economic stimulus investment is already supporting the reconstruction of the Rye Pier approach. These works are due for completion by spring 2022.

Parks Victoria’s contractor is carrying out the first stage of the works, that the replacement of the 270-metre inner section that will make it safer, more durable and improve public accessibility.

The Victorian Government, through the State Budget 2022/23 is investing in the second stage of reconstruction works.

This stage of works will see the reconstruction the outer section of the pier approach and the head of pier. 

Planning for the second stage of works will start in 2022-23.

Learn more about Rye Pier rebuild.  

Mornington Fisherman’s Jetty reconstruction

The Victorian Government is investing in the reconstruction of Fisherman’s Jetty at the Mornington Harbour. 

The first stage of the project will involve planning for the ongoing use of the marine precinct. 

Parks Victoria is preparing a local port area plan for Mornington Harbour to help define areas within the harbour for specific uses. This will help inform decisions about the Fisherman’s Jetty and help in assessing future tenure. 

Parks Victoria has begun work on the Mornington Harbour Local Port Area Plan, including plans for community engagement.

McLoughlins Beach Jetty reconstruction

Gippsland Ports manages the McLoughlins Beach Jetty. Rebuilt in 1985, the jetty is now close to the end of its useful life. 

The Victorian Government, under the State Budget 2022-23, is investing in the reconstruction of the jetty recognising the high value that the community places on it. 

Gippsland Ports will keep the community informed as planning for the Jetty reconstruction works progresses, including plans for demolition of the current jetty to allow for the construction of the new jetty.

Raymond Island Public Jetty reconstruction

Gippsland Ports manages the Raymond Island Public Jetty, located on McMillan Strait between Raymond Island and Paynesville.

The jetty provides public berths for recreational boaters and charter operators.

Lakes Entrance Fishing Cooperative Limited South Jetty rebuild on Bullock Island

Lakes Entrance Fishing Cooperative Limited (LEFL) jetties on Bullock Island are approaching end of life and needs replacement. The southern jetty requires replacement first. 

Gippsland Ports, leases the jetties to LEFL which services Victoria’s largest fishing fleet. The facility is a major economic generator for Lakes Entrance. 

Under a refreshed Bullock Island Master Plan (2020), Gippsland Ports will review landing proposal options and ensure that the solution is value for money.

The Victorian Government, under the State Budget 2022-23, is investing to replace the LEFL South Jetty. 

Gippsland Ports will engage with stakeholders and ensure that the commercial fishing industry has an asset that meets current and the future needs. 

Sustainable Local Ports Critical Repairs

Through the State Budget 2021-22, we’re investing over $5.0 million in two critical local ports critical repair projects.

Apollo Bay Breakwater

We’ve provided the Colac Otway Shire with funding for critical repairs to the Lee Breakwater. 

A tender for the works has been released.

Lakes Entrance Training Walls

Located at Lakes Entrance, the Training Walls form the manmade entrance channel for vessels travelling between Bass Strait and the Gippsland Lakes.

We’re supporting Gippsland Ports, the local port manager, to undertake stabilisation of the Training Walls. The current funding will allow Gippsland Ports to place additional rock armour on the Western Training Wall abutment.

A tender for rock procurement has been released.

Building Works economic stimulus

Transport projects form a key part of the $328.4 million Victorian Government investment in critical freight, boating, public transport and roads maintenance, which will create or support more than 600 jobs as we recover from COVID-19.

The pier and jetty projects include:

• $9.6 million upgrade of Portarlington Pier
• $11.6 million for upgrades and maintenance of piers in Port Phillip, including Altona, Middle Brighton, Flinders and Queenscliff South Piers
• $3.2 million for upgrades and repairs to Rye Pier, Port Welshpool Marginal Wharf, Portland Trawler Wharf pontoon and Tooradin Jetty.

Four projects under delivery are outlined below.

Portarlington Pier 

The groyne construction together with reconstruction of the pier head, and demolition of the old pier has been completed. 

Indigenous artwork celebrating a sense of Wadawurrung Country will be a striking addition to this upgrade.

Learn more about the upgrade to Portarlington Pier.

Altona Pier
 
Public consultation on design options for the future pier closed in August 2020 with over 1,200 submissions received. 

Feedback on the three concept designs saw more than 60 per cent choosing Option 3 with an angled pier head as the preferred design. 

Detailed design is underway with statutory approvals and procurement to be undertaken before a completion date is confirmed.  

A detailed design is expected to be released for viewing in mid-2022, with construction to commence late 2022 and finish in late 2023.

Learn more about the Altona Pier Redevelopment. 

Rye Pier

Widening of the pier will provide safer separation for pedestrians and vehicles and accommodate increasing visitation.  

A 600-millimetre lift in pier height of the rebuilt section will cater for future sea level rise. 

Construction is underway.

Learn more about improvements to Rye Pier.

Warrnambool Breakwater

Located on the westernmost point of Lady Bay, the Warrnambool Breakwater is popular with fishers, boaters and visitors.  

We’ve supported the Warrnambool City Council to undertake storm damage repairs. 

The council-managed works include urgent render and capping repairs, and handrail replacement.

The works will be completed in April 2022.

Completed projects

Building Work economic stimulus projects

Middle Brighton Pier

Parks Victoria managed repairs to concrete piles and crossheads and replaced some deck planks on the 1977 section of the pier.

The works have been completed and the pier has reopened to public.

Learn more about improvements to Middle Brighton Pier.

Queenscliff South Pier

Queenscliff South Pier and Lifeboat Complex, managed by Parks Victoria, is of historical significance for its associations with the lifeboat service, the sea pilot service, the famous bay ferries and paddle steamers dating back to the 1880s. 

Today it is a significant maritime heritage asset and a popular place for sightseeing, fishing and commercial dive activities. 

Repair and restoration of the lifeboat shed has been completed. The restoration of the pier and lifeboat shed was undertaken in partnership with Heritage Victoria.

Learn more about improvements to Queenscliff South Pier.

Port Welshpool Marginal Wharf

The wharf is used for loading and unloading by commercial operators including commercial fishers.

Learn more about improvements to Port Welshpool Marginal Wharf.

Portland Trawler Wharf Pontoon

Glenelg Shire Council managed the delivery of additional floating pontoons installed as finger jetties and the existing walkway extension at the Trawler Wharf.

The works have increased the number of berths for commercial fishers improving access for loading and unloading.

Learn more about improvements to the Portland Trawler Wharf Pontoon.

Tooradin Jetty

Parks Victoria has demolished the old timber jetty and rebuilt a new jetty.  The lower landing has been replaced with an all-abilities access floating pontoon. 

The new jetty makes it safer and more accessible for commercial operations and the public. 

Learn more about improvements to Tooradin Jetty.

Better Recreational Facilities projects

Managing local ports