THE replacement of Rosebud pier is finally complete after two construction periods more than five years apart that saw state government agency Parks Victoria spend about $3.5 million on the 329-metre long structure.
The outer section of 104 metres was replaced in 2009 at a cost of $1.4 million after it had been closed for two summers, much to the annoyance of dedicated anglers.
Work on the inner section of 225 metres started in April and was completed late last month at a cost of $2 million.
Both Labor and Liberal-Nationals Coalition state government have spent millions in recent years on piers and jetties on Port Phillip and Western Port.
A Parks Victoria officer told The News at the recent opening of the rebuilt Mornington pier (which cost at least $18.5 million) that Port Phillip and Western Port piers “are our equivalent of Sydney’s harbour bridge. Millions of people use them each year for fishing and boating or just as a place for a stroll and to contemplate the world from a different viewpoint”.
The rebuild this year saw the installation of 124 piles; 1023 deck boards; handrails; and upgraded electrical services including overhead lights as well as lights along the edge of the pier, which Parks says “will appeal to twilight anglers and provide an extra safety feature by illuminating the edge of the pier”.
Parks has donated much of the old timber to Mornington Peninsula Shire for planned garden beds and other landscaping on Rosebud foreshore. Some of the timber was given to Pines Men’s Shed in Frankston North. Members made 10 outdoor benches for Parks, four of which are on the pier.
On Friday, the pier was officially opened by Graeme Davis, Parks Victoria’s district manager of Port Phillip and Western Port.
It was meant to be opened by ALP upper house MP Daniel Mulino, who was called away at short notice to represent state treasurer Tim Pallas.
Mr Davis said Parks had opened two piers in the shire recently (Mornington was opened last month) and this was the end of planned works for a while.
He said Dromana residents, including Cr Graham Pittock, had been lobbying for the town’s pier to be replaced but this “won’t be next week”.
Parks spent about $170,000 on Dromana pier last year cutting out concrete cancer in a bid to extend its life for another decade.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 8 September 2015
