HERITAGE Victoria has granted a heritage permit for long-awaited repair works of the 1860s-built Flinders Pier but the project’s future remains uncertain amid concerns of insufficient funding. While the full 327-metre length of the historic pier remains open to the public, the old part of jetty, a 180-metre timber approach section, has been closed since April 2020 following the deterioration of piles and decking.
The permit, issued on 10 April, would allow works to be undertaken but as reported by The News in March, a document released by Heritage Victoria revealed that the repairs could be hampered by a lack of funding (Flinders Pier works in jeopardy, The News 4/3/25). The state government has allocated $1.5m for critical works on the pier, including replacing deteriorating piles.
But a document by a Melbourne-based heritage consulting company, acting on behalf of Parks Victoria, which was submitted as part of a heritage application, warned the pier had 54 supporting timber piles in need of replacement, but the work could be restrained by insufficient funds.
Save Flinders Pier chairman Charles Reis said while a permit was welcome, he expressed concerned about the potential setback in repairs because of funding uncertainty and called on all sides of politics to help support their campaign. According to Reis, Parks Victoria had planned to prioritise some sections of the pier to be fixed while leaving other parts of the pier potentially fenced off.
“The Save Flinders Pier campaign has been in touch with the Minister for Ports, Melissa Horne to express community concern and request an assurance that the government will provide Parks Victoria with sufficient funds to complete repair works to the Flinders Pier,” he said in a community newsletter published in April. “The Minister declined to provide such a commitment. We then approached our local Member, Sam Groth, who asked a question on the floor of parliament. A similar response was provided.” Reis noted that Groth and Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie had since visited the pier to meet with him and other community members. The Save Flinders Pier campaign had also connected with Flinders candidates running in the federal election including Labor’s Sarah Race and independent Ben Smith.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Cr David Gill and mayor Cr Anthony Marsh were also updated in early March, Reis said. “Ensuring all our politicians and political candidates are equally across this issue is very important.” Reis added he was incredibly grateful for the Flinders community’s support “and all 45,000 Victorians who joined us to Save Flinders Pier”. Parks Victoria has not posted an online community update on the pier since May last year.
First published in the Mornington News – 22 April 2025
