AFTER more than two years of frustration, Mornington Peninsula Shire has finally answered the call: $407,238 has been locked in to fix the stairs at Birdrock Beach in Mt Martha.
The timber stairs were closed to the public at the beginning of December 2022 after a severe storm and an associated king tide damaged the bottom three sections of the stairway (Beach access stairs closed for safety, The News 17/1/23). Sand was also eroded away from underneath the concrete footings at the base of the stairs, further destabilising the stairway.
An action group called “Repair the Stairs – Birdrock Beach Action Group” has since been petitioning, protesting, and persistently reminding the shire that it was more than just a staircase, but a vital part of the community’s connection to the coast. And it’s finally paid off, with the shire officially announcing it would spend $407,238 for restoration works in the 2025-26 budget’s capital works program. The council’s 20 May meeting confirmed that the funding would ensure the staircase is “back open and operating safely”.
The spokesperson for the Birdrock Beach Action Group, Sharon Forrest, said she was thrilled with the news but reiterated that the “real work begins to get the stairs completed before next summer”. “We want to get the stairs rocking and rolling so we can start using it,” she said. “We would hope that by 1 October we could have it completed.”
The action group was launched last September, with a petition launched calling for the stairs to be repaired as a matter of urgency, which attracted 1070 signatures. Dozens of locals also gathered for a peaceful protest rally at the stairs on 21 September in a show of support to get the project done.
“It’s just been phenomenal, absolutely,” Forrest said. She had previously said that community health, exercise, and well-being among residents was important with funding being minimal compared to the benefits it provided. Once the project is complete, with a date yet to be announced, Forrest said volunteers would ensure the area remained pristine, and the coastal ecosystem protected.
While the stairs sit on Crown Land, it is the council’s responsibility to maintain the infrastructure while Parks Victoria manages the foreshore. A sign installed by the shire updating the community about the repairs attributed storms, climate change and rising sea levels for the deteriorating coastal infrastructure.
Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said, “It’s fantastic to see Birdrock funded after being closed for two and half years. It is a much-loved local beach”. “The capital works budget reflects the council prioritising the delivering of local tangible assets for the community’s use and enjoyment.”
Mornington MP Chris Crewther, an advocate for fixing the staircase, said the funding was a huge win, but noted the “work isn’t done yet – we’ll keep pushing for local, state and federal investment and foreshore funding to protect, preserve and fix more of our precious coast and coastal assets”.
First published in the Mornington News – 27 May 2025
