St Leonards Pier Rebuild and Local Port Area Plan
Project status
October 2025
We are pleased to share the design for the new St Leonards Pier, released as part of the Local Port Area Plan. The new design reflects community aspirations while improving safety, access, and overall functionality.
The St Leonards Pier is a recreational pier and will continue to service many users.
Key features of the new pier design:
- Larger footprint – the new pier will be larger than the existing pier, providing more space for community use.
- Parallel alignment – the new St Leonards Pier will be built parallel to the existing pier footprint to protect significant maritime archaeological heritage, including the remains of two shipwrecks located beneath the current pier and protected under the Heritage Act 2017. Where possible and safe to do so, some existing piles with habitats will be retained, as well as the retained breakwater, which will continue to provide protection.
- Expanded fishing and recreation – the pier will feature a lengthened finger jetty to create more fishing spots and enhance recreational opportunities, stair access to the water for scuba diving and snorkelling.
- Environmental protection – protecting the environment is a key priority during the pier rebuild, with care taken to avoid sensitive seagrass areas and to minimise impacts on marine life.
- Celebrate heritage – the Sirens Boathouse and Kiosk will remain a central focus of the new pier approach.
- Safe and accessible – pedestrian safety will be enhanced by constructing a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant ramp for access to the low landing, the addition of wheelchair accessible fishing locations and a widened pier entry.
Above: Artist's impression of the new St Leonards Pier
Opportunity to provide feedback on external design features
While the structure of the pier has been carefully designed by maritime engineers, the community is invited to share ideas on external design features and pier furniture such as seating, signage, and fishing amenities.
Feedback is invited via the Engage Victoria website from Monday 20 October until Monday 17 November 2025.
The project
This project is being undertaken on Wadawurrung Sea Country.
A local port area plan was developed to guide the future of St Leonards Pier and the adjoining waters managed by Parks Victoria.
Focusing on the on-water elements, the plan aims to improve safety and functionality, respond to changing conditions and user needs, and realise the community’s aspirations for a rebuilt pier.
The plan also includes the design for the new St Leonards Pier which was shaped by stakeholder and community feedback. The new design builds on the one included in the draft St Leonards Local Port Area Plan which the community and stakeholders were invited to provide share their thoughts and ideas on between 9 March and 27 April 2024.
Local port area plans are developed as part of the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Local Ports Framework and Parks Victoria's local ports forward planning program to help guide future investment where it is needed most.
The next stage of this project will be the detailed design and delivery of the new St Leonards Pier.
Above: St Leonards Local Port Area Precinct Plan
Above: An aerial view of St Leonards local port area and supporting infrastructure (Credit: DEECA)
Above: Map showing focus area of project.
Background
Located on the Bellarine Peninsula, St Leonards Pier is popular with people accessing the many great recreational boating and fishing opportunities on offer in Port Phillip Bay and is valued by locals and visitors.
St Leonards Pier was originally constructed in the 1860s and most recently reconstructed in 1957. To ensure the pier remains a feature of the area, funding to replace the ageing pier was committed in the 2023-24 State Budget.
The St Leonards Local Port Area Plan outlines the alignment and design of the new pier in readiness for construction.
The planning process considered known challenges and relevant matters raised throughout the process, including:
- the alignment and functional attributes of a rebuilt St Leonards Pier
- a functional on-water layout that enhances activity, movement and use and considers impacts on the swing moorings, dredging, fairways and berthing, maritime heritage values and marine values
- opportunities for short-term visitor berthing
- future demand and use
Project funding
This project is funded by the Victorian Government’s $46 million investment in critical pier and jetty rebuilds and repairs across the state.
Who are we working with?
A project reference group comprising representatives from Parks Victoria, Bellarine Bayside, City of Greater Geelong, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and the Department of Transport and Planning advised on the development of the plan.
The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation were also involved in the development of the plan.
Related information
- Download the St Leonards Local Port Area Plan 2025. pdf
- Download the St Leonards Local Port Area Plan 2025. word accessible doc
- Download the Engagement Summary Report 2024 (PDF)
- October 2025 - Community Update Edition 4
- December 2024 - Community Update Edition 3
- September 2024 - Community Update Edition 2
- March 2024 - Community Update Edition 1
Project timeline
Planning phase – Prepare the St Leonards Local Port Area Plan
Background research and technical investigations – Spring 2023
Preparation of the draft plan – Late Spring 2023
Community consultation of draft plan – Autumn 2024
Feedback considered – Winter 2024
Maritime archeological investigations - Summer/Autumn 2025
Release Local Port Area Plan – October 2025
Design and Delivery Phase – Rebuild St Leonards Pier
Design phase - underway
Advertise tender - Early 2025
Award contract - Mid 2026
Construction commencement - Spring 2026
Construction completion - Late 2027
Frequently asked questions
What has been happening under the pier?
Underwater heritage investigations were undertaken under and near St Leonards Pier over summer 2024 and autumn 2025.
The investigations were part of a maritime archaeological survey of the area aimed at informing the local port area plan.
What were the divers looking for?
The divers were investigating potential maritime archaeology, shipwrecks and shipwreck objects that lie beneath and around the existing pier.
All maritime archaeology, shipwrecks and shipwreck objects are protected under the Heritage Act 2017.
The results from our investigations will ensure heritage values are managed appropriately as we plan to rebuild St Leonards Pier.
What heritage is under the pier?
The current St Leonards Pier was built over the Coles Jetty site. This site is protected under the Victorian Heritage Inventory (VHI).
Two shipwrecks have been confirmed and are located under and around the current pier. The remains of both wrecks are protected under the Heritage Act 2017.
Funding was allocated in the 2023-24 State Budget to rebuild St Leonards Pier, allowing initial planning to get underway.
The local port area plan has released the design of the new pier.
- Reviewing existing technical information and filling the gaps with new investigations where required
- Consulting with key users and stakeholders to understand the challenges and aspirations for the pier and water uses
- Preparing the draft plan and releasing it for community feedback
- Undertaking underwater heritage investigations
- Amending the draft plan in response to what we’ve heard following consultation
- Revising the final local port area plan
Why did the plan need to be completed before the pier is rebuilt?
The plan is a strategic document that guides the future of this area within the local port.
This planning process is critical for Parks Victoria to understand the changing and growing needs of the community.
It also ensures the new pier meets those needs, as well as being resilient to coastal processes and climate change.
How will the heritage values of the area be considered and managed while building the new pier?
Significant underwater heritage investigations have been undertaken to inform the design of the new pier.
As the design and planning progresses for the new pier, Parks Victoria will continue to engage with appropriately qualified consultants, including maritime archaeologists, to guide the design in relation to the heritage values.
The project will seek all relevant statutory approvals as they relate to protected heritage under the Heritage Act 2017. ‘
Has Heritage Victoria been engaged or are there heritage permits needed?
All maritime archaeology is protected under the Heritage Act 2017, and the pier works are subject to approval by Heritage Victoria.
Staying updated
For general enquiries email engage@parks.vic.gov.au or call us on 13 1963. Subscribe for project updates.