CONCERNS are mounting over the future of the historic Portsea Pier as no immediate action was being taken to repair a damaged section of the 144-year-old structure. The top end of the L-shaped wooden pier has remained closed to the public after being impacted by a severe storm on 2 September with no plans announced by Parks Victoria to repair it. Locals have expressed concern about the pier’s long-term preservation and whether the section of the pier could be lost forever if left neglected.
Chair of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria’s heritage committee Professor Charles Sowerwine expressed his concern, noting that the importance of saving the pier cannot be overstated. “These historic piers are really important as they should be preserved; they’re a big part of the lives of people both for residents and tourists, they are part of the vitality of the area. They should be saved,” he told The News. “The general problem is ever since the Kennett Government created Parks Victoria, it’s been totally underfunded, and we have significant losses as a result. “We need better funding for Parks Victoria, and a duty of care to all these important sites – they need to act before it’s too late.” Sowerwine pointed to the “years of neglect” at Docklands’ heritage-listed Central Pier, saying “it shouldn’t happen again”. The 103-year-old Central Pier is currently being demolished by Development Victoria to make way for a new structure.
Save Flinders Pier Campaign chairperson Charles Reis also said the Portsea Pier “must be saved”, noting it was “an iconic pier on Port Phillip Bay”. “I saw the most recent images [of the pier] and I was really shocked,” he said. “It does have very significant historic relevance, and it provides an important recreational amenity. “The fact Portsea lost its beach to the dredging of the bay is already shocking enough and the fact that was never ever rectified, I think it’s appalling to most people. “But now to let the pier fall into disrepair, it’s just so disrespectful to the people of Victoria in my view.”
Reis also echoed Sowerwine comments that the state government was not providing Parks Victoria with sufficient funding “to undertake the necessary maintenance of all our piers and jetties and that’s the core issue that has to be rectified.” “There was a very significant Auditor-General’s report in 2018 that identified the shortcomings of the government’s funding model for coastal assets, and it’s really never been acted upon,” he said. “I just want to encourage the community of Portsea and the Mornington Peninsula community to get behind our piers and jetties, because once they’re gone, they will never be replaced. “I don’t think there’s been a new jetty or pier built in a Greenfields location in the last 40 years and once they go, they’re gone for good.”
Mornington Peninsula Shire Nepean Ward councillor Andrea Allen commented on social media that “Council officers and Nepean Ratepayers Association are following up with Parks Vic regarding this rumour [that half the pier could be lost]”. Parks Victoria has been contacted for comment. Its website said, “Portsea Pier has been impacted by severe weather which has resulted in the need to close the pier head for public safety”. “The remainder of the pier including the inner lower landing will remain open for use.”
First published in the Mornington News – 10 December 2024
