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
- A place of cultural exchange
- A functional and celebrated maritime destination
- A balanced compatible mixed-use precinct
- An innovative and prosperous precinct
The Department of Transport 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.
Download the Williamstown Maritime Precinct Update [PDF 326 Kb]
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.
In addition to confirming future requirements for a pier, the draft plan identifies the channel access, swing mooring and off-the-beach boating requirements and has been prepared in conjunction with specialist maritime consultants and with stakeholder engagement.
Following completion of public consultation Parks Victoria is reviewing feedback prior to releasing the final plan.
Learn more about the Sandringham Harbour Precinct.
Current projects
Flinders Pier
The Victorian Government, under the 2022-23 State Budget, has committed funding to the pier to plan to undertake safety works. The scope of works for the pier will be determined following completion of the heritage assessment process, and further planning and assessments.
Learn more about the Flinders Pier.
St Kilda Pier Redevelopment
The Victorian Government is investing $53 million for the St Kilda Pier redevelopment, 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. The old pier will be demolished.
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 confirm the future requirements for the Hampton Pier within the harbour and consider the outcome of public consultation and feedback.
The Victoria Government is funding the reconstruction of Hampton Pier.
Learn more about the Sandringham Harbour Precinct Plan.
Rye Pier (outer section) rebuild
Funding under the $24 million Building Works economic stimulus investment is already supporting the rebuild of the Rye Pier approach. These works are due for completion in 2022.
The Rye Pier rebuild includes replacing a 270-metre inner section of the pier, widening the pier deck to 4.2 metres and installing new handrails and solar lighting to improve safety and accessibility. The project is being managed by Parks Victoria.
The Victorian Government, through the State Budget 2022-23, is investing in the second stage of pier rebuild works.
This stage of works will see the rebuild of 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 future uses 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 involve public consultation.
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 continue keeping the community informed as planning for the reconstruction works progresses.
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.
The Victorian Government, under the State Budget 2022/23, is investing in the reconstruction of the jetty.
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, with the southern jetty requiring 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.
Gippsland Ports will engage with stakeholders and ensure that the commercial fishing industry has an asset that meets current and future needs.
Sustainable Local Ports Critical Repairs
Through the State Budget 2021/22, we’re investing $4.9 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
Apollo Bay harbour is an important working port, supporting a thriving fishing industry, charter operators and recreational boaters as well as being a popular tourism attraction.
We’ve provided the Colac Otway Shire with funding for critical repairs to the Lee Breakwater.
A tender for the works 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 Portarlington Pier redevelopment delivers a new pier head, covered walkway, and improved harbour protection benefiting the local community and visitors, anglers and the region’s celebrated aquaculture industry. Indigenous artwork celebrating a sense of Wadawurrung Country is a striking addition to this upgrade and incorporated into the new covered walkway. The old pier has also been demolished.
Learn more about the upgrade to Portarlington Pier.
Altona Pier
The Altona Pier redevelopment project will deliver a new pier to the community. Designed with community input, the new pier features a heritage-look timber deck, y-shaped head and an accessible low landing to delight pier-lovers, boaters and anglers. The project timeline will be confirmed through the procurement process.
Complementing Hobsons Bay Council’s foreshore redevelopment, the project will revitalise the precinct and improve accessibility for the future.
Rye Pier (inner section) reconstruction
Other projects funded under the Local Ports Program
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 Warrnambool Breakwater storm damage repairs and low landing deck rebuild have been completed, with further breakwater render repairs to be undertaken.
Completed projects
Building Work economic stimulus projects
Middle Brighton Pier
Learn more about improvements to Middle Brighton Pier.
Queenscliff South Pier and lifeboat shed repairs
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 loading section rebuild
Portland Trawler Wharf Pontoon
Glenelg Shire Council managed the delivery of additional floating pontoons installed as finger jetties and an extension to the existing walkway at the Portland Trawler Wharf.
The works have increased the number of berths for commercial fishers improving access for loading and unloading.
Tooradin Jetty
Parks Victoria has rebuilt Tooradin Jetty and demolished the old timber 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 completed projects
| Facility | Project description | Amound funded | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaford Pier |
Seaford Pier is a popular spot for fishing, swimming, and general sightseeing. Parks Victoria managed the pier upgrade enabling the pier to reopen to public access. |
$900,000 | Parks Victoria |
| Frankston Pier |
Frankston Pier is a popular spot for walking, fishing and swimming. The pier was badly damaged in August 2019 during a major storm and a 20-metre section of the pier head broke away. Parks Victoria managed works to repair the pier. |
$672,000 | Parks Victoria |
| Kerferd Road Pier, Albert Park |
This much-loved Albert Park icon underwent works to reconstruct the middle of the pier and lower landing using timber piles and new timber deck and handrails. Learn more about improvements to Kerferd Road Pier. |
$1.75 million | Parks Victoria |
| Gem Pier, Williamstown |
Gem Pier stands as one of the most highly utilised piers in Port Phillip. The lower landing continues to service commercial ferries in operation between Williamstown, the city and St Kilda. Works managed by Parks Victoria carried out in 2020 included repair and replacement of piles beneath the pier. Learn more about improvements to Gem Pier. |
$650,00 | Parks Victoria |
| Rye Pier Low-Landing |
The upgrade delivered an all-abilities access ramp to allow everyone to enjoy the water. The upgrade also provided casual berths for recreational fishing and diving and improved berthing for larger commercial fishing charter operators through a longer, new low landing. The low-landing was completely rebuilt with new supporting piles and berthing fenders and new corrosion resistance fibre-reinforced mesh for the decking. Learn more about improvements to the Rye Pier low-landing. |
$500,000 | Parks Victoria |
Other completed projects
| Facility | Region | Amount funded | Management |
| Tankerton Low-Landing repairs | Port Phillip | TBC | Parks Victoria |
| Lakes Entrance Eastern Wharf upgrade | Gippsland | $557,494 | Gippsland Ports |
| Paynesville Boatyard Wastewater Treatment Facility | Gippsland | $153,634 | Gippsland Ports |
| Barwon Heads Main Jetty rebuild | Barwon | $182,461 | Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc |
| Warrnambool Breakwater pavement and handrail upgrade | Great South Coast | $103,000 | Warrnambool City Council |
| Marlo Jetty piling repairs and public lighting | Gippsland | $119,814 | Gippsland Ports |
| Apollo Bay Harbour dredging, breakwater renewal design and repair, and slipway winch repairs | Barwon | $1.353 million | Colac Otway Shire |
| Port Welshpool Long Jetty maintenance | Gippsland | $56,390 | Gippsland Ports |
| Apollo Bay dredge pipeline replacement | Barwon | $80,000 | Colac Otway Shire |
| Port Fairy wharf pile repairs | Barwon | Colac Otway Shire | |
| Apollo Bay slipway cradle repair, winch shed rebuild, waste oil facility shed, CCTV | Barwon | $150,000 | Colac Otway Shire |
Managing local ports
| Local port | Port manager | Contact number |
|---|---|---|
| Portland Bay | Glenelg Shire Council | (03) 5522 2140 |
| Port Fairy | Moyne Shire Council | (03) 5568 1108 |
| Warrnambool | Warrnambool City Council | (03) 5559 4800 |
| Apollo Bay | Colac-Otway Shire Council | (03) 5232 9400 |
| Lorne | Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority | 1300 736 533 |
| Barwon Heads | Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc | (03) 5254 1118 |
| Port Phillip Western Port Port Campbell |
Parks Victoria | 13 19 63 |
|
Gippsland Lakes |
Gippsland Ports Committee of Management Inc | (03) 5150 0500 |
There are around 150 local port wharves, piers and jetties across the state. Many other structures along the coast are not local port assets.