A GROUP of community advocates, residents, and politicians gathered at Flinders Pier on 14 August, calling on the state government to complete the restoration of the pier.
The community action comes after the Victorian government announced it would not be rebuild the inner section of Flinders Pier due to the scope of the restoration and a lack of funding (Flinders Pier restoration abandoned, The News 29/06/26).
Mornington Peninsula Shire has said it will include Flinders Pier in its “Shout Out for the Peninsula” advocacy campaign in the lead-up to the state election.
Over 100 people gathered at the pier as part of the campaign, including shire mayor Cr Stephen Batty and Nepean MP Anthony Marsh, who both addressed the crowd.
“All we need is $1.6m, I think, to finish this pier,” said Batty.
“And that’s what we’re going to shout out about; we want the government to finish their commitment.”
Batty said Flinders Pier represents an opportunity for the state government to complete an important project during a time of financial restraint.
“Victoria’s finances are under pressure, and we understand governments face difficult decisions. But this is a project that has already commenced and remains unfinished,” said Batty.
“The Flinders Pier is part of the peninsula’s identity. Completing the full restoration project, as committed and originally funded by the state government in November 2025, will preserve a significant community asset and support local tourism.”
In November 2025, Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne confirmed the inner section of the pier was to be restored and appointed Bridgewater Marine as the lead contractor (Flinders Pier restoration under way as campaigners urge attention to outer section, The News 11/12/25).
In June, Horne said the inner section of the pier would be closed indefinitely, and funds had been allocated to repairs where possible (Flinders Pier restoration abandoned, The News 29/06/26).
The shire wrote to Horne two months ago requesting funding support to complete the restoration. The letter stated, “the community expects the restoration project to be completed as originally planned”. They are yet to receive a response.
“It’s not courteous at all and is disrespectful, and we’ll be chasing that up next week,” said Batty.
“We want to reply and say, ‘What’s going on and why aren’t you fixing this up?’ And it’s not a political issue; it’s just a promise that they did make and we want to make sure that they follow it through.”
Charles Reis, chair of the Save Flinders Pier campaign, said the community had waited long enough for the state government to honour its commitment.
“More than 45,000 people supported the campaign to save Flinders Pier because they understood its heritage, environmental, and community significance,” said Reis.
“The community was promised the pier would be restored, yet today we’re left looking at 13 piles standing in the water and an incomplete project. That’s why locals, businesses, divers and visitors are continuing to stand together and call on the government to finish what it started.”
Reis said he is disappointed by the state government’s behaviour and urges Premier Ben Carroll to intercede.
“We watched in disbelief as all the timber was lifted up and carried away. Right now, the timber to rebuild the pier is sitting in a Parks Victoria depot,” said Reis.
“We are urging Premier Carroll to step in and direct the Minister for Ports to finish what she started. This is not a time to play politics with a heritage-listed asset and an important part of Victoria’s maritime history.”
Flinders Pier was heritage listed in October 2022.
