A $2.9 MILLION redevelopment of the Rye foreshore promenade is set to transform the area, featuring a new open space and two plaza areas.
The plan, which saw a tender awarded to undertake the project at the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s 17 December meeting, will see the eastern car park next to the pier replaced with a public open space.
It will also include the construction of two plaza areas either end of the foreshore promenade, as well as a network of paths, seating, barbecues, and landscaping.
To make way for the new open space, existing walkways, bollards, fencing, walling, and furniture would be demolished. A new car park will be built at the west of the existing Rye pier western car park. The shire will also explore options for upgrading a paved and timber decked areas, new custom shelters, additional pathway connections to be upgraded, and a boardwalk extension and new beach access. Consideration will also be given to new turfed areas, feature lighting along the promenade and additional picnic tables and shelter area.
Construction is scheduled to begin in March with completion aimed at the end of the year. Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors voted unanimously in favour of awarding the tender. According to a shire report, a continuous area of public open space to the existing foreshore park that is directly accessible to pedestrians from the township “will be a great benefit to the community and all who visit Rye”.
“The Rye township experiences a large influx of tourists during the summer months, looking to enjoy the existing coastal environment and vibrancy of the township,” it said. “However, this also results in unsafe and undesirable congestion issues in the small and outdated public spaces along the foreshore reserve.” But “years of sporadic infrastructure development has resulted in the township losing its intrinsic connection to the coast”. “This has resulted through the development of car parks, a wider street through the township, removal of vegetation and the expansion of foreshore camping across the majority of the foreshore reserve. “All of these elements hinder the townships’ connection to the coast, which is its strongest asset however it is underutilised at present.”
The Rye Township Plan project has a total budget of $6.5million, with previous works completed or committed in earlier contracts.
The promenade transformation forms part of stage one of the Rye Township Plan, which also includes a new public square called the Napier Street Plaza, completed in July 2021. The shire engaged with the Rye Community Group Alliance, Bunurong Land Council, and government authorities for the foreshore revamp.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 15 January 2025
