• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Teen arrested following Capel Sound attempted armed robbery
  • Car show supports young patients
  • Fatal collision in Somerville
  • Sharks get their bite back
  • Kangaroos and Demons continue undefeated starts
  • Mornington, Pines still top dogs
  • Kah finds the key to La Mexicana’s best
  • Train mounts platform in Seaford accident
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWS MPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWS MPNEWS
Home»News»Labor botched pier project: MP
News

Labor botched pier project: MP

By Mike HastNovember 5, 2013Updated:March 28, 2014No Comments3 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

mornington pierMORNINGTON Liberal MP David Morris has slammed the previous state go­vernment over its “botched” Morning­ton pier project.

His criticism comes just weeks before Parks Victoria names the suc­cessful tenderer for the replacement of the outer, condemned section of the pier.

In May 2012, the state government announced it would spend up to $15 million to replace the outer section with its 125 pylons, which had been closed since August 2010 after a series of storms weakened the structure.

In the Parliament last week, Mr Morris said the project had gone “seriously off the rails” under the Brumby Labor government.

“In 2009, the Brumby government announced it would refurbish the pier and install wave screens,” he said.

“The amount allocated was intended to replace the inner and middle sections of the pier, which had become unstable as a result of harsh sea conditions over an extended period.

“The intention was also to remove rock which had been piled against the inner section of the pier to provide a measure of protection and to replace it with wave screens.”

Mr Morris said the rock had been removed, “leaving the harbour expos­ed”.

“The two sections of the pier were demolished and work was begun on the replacement structure.

“As we came to expect with any Labor project, this one went seriously off the rails. Not only were insufficient funds allocated to complete the project but it was established that the outer section of the pier, which it had been intended would be retained, was no longer safe and had to be closed.

“In order to meet the budget, the wave screens were dropped and the harbour was left open to the elements.”

“Under the direction of the Coalition government, the new section has been fully protected with wave screens, making a significant diffe­rence to safety in the harbour precinct.”

He said designs of the outer section had “met with wide acclaim from the local community”.

When completed, the government will have spent at least $18.5 million on the pier since August 2010.

The town’s iconic, 123-metre long pier is used by two million visitors a year, the second-most visited pier on Port Phillip.

It was closed in April 2010 after a storm damaged pylons and dislodged about 100 large deck planks.

Two more storms in August and September 2010 – with winds of more than 60 knots – further weakened the pier, a form of which has served the town for more than 150 years.

The middle, 53-metre long section replaced in 2010-11 saw old wooden pylons replaced by concrete ones with a three-piece reinforced concrete deck and timber planks on top.

In June 2011, The News reported the outer section was in danger of collap­sing after engineers found 20 per cent of wooden pylons had failed or were about to fail and were not supporting the top deck.

About half of the remaining 80 per cent were in “average condition” and the outer section was one big storm away from becoming irreparable damaged. Luckily that storm did not arrive.

Botched David Morris Mornington MP Parks Victoria Parliament pier project
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Teen arrested following Capel Sound attempted armed robbery

April 20, 2021

Car show supports young patients

April 20, 2021

Waves at Portsea as legal stoush looms

April 19, 2021

Flags down for state lifesavers after fatal year

April 19, 2021
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Weather
Apr 22, 2021 - Thu
Mornington, Australia
12°C
overcast clouds
overcast clouds
2 m/s, W
67%
759.06 mmHg
thu04/22 fri04/23 sat04/24 sun04/25 mon04/26
light rain
14/14°C
light rain
14/13°C
light rain
16/14°C
light rain
15/13°C
light rain
15/12°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

March 29, 2021
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

February 25, 2021
Property of the Week

Horizon sets new goal for property prices

January 11, 2021
Council Watch

‘Providers’ sought to take over shire’s home day care

April 19, 2021

Susan Bissinger set for council seat after recount

April 13, 2021
Interview

Moment of madness, but no end to family’s pain

April 19, 2021
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2021 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.