Altona Pier Redevelopment
Project status
January 2024:
The brand-new Altona Pier is now completed and open for the community to visit and enjoy, read about this exciting project here.
- Stretching more than 300 metres into Port Phillip, the pier is the perfect summer destination for the community and visitors to enjoy.
- Its safer and more accessible with ample space for walking, fishing and boating.
Above - the impressive new Altona Pier is now open, January 2024.
The project
Altona Pier, on Bunurong Sea Country, is being redeveloped as part of the Victorian Government’s construction blitz to create new jobs across Victoria and ensure the pier remains an accessible and safe place for locals and visitors to enjoy. The $24 million Piers and Jetties Stimulus Packages is supporting significant maintenance and safety upgrades to piers and jetties across Port Phillip and Western Port, including at Tooradin, Rye, Queenscliff South, Portarlington and Middle Brighton piers.
Following the completion of community engagement in mid-2020 and selection of the community's preferred concept design, the design tender process began in July 2021. The process concluded with the appointment of Jackson Clements Burrows Architects together with AW Maritime marine engineers and Site Office Landscape Architects.
Once complete, the new pier will provide improved recreational space for more people to enjoy. Its modern y-shaped head providing large functional community space, as well as better access for people fishing and walking at Altona Beach, is sure to be the envy of pier lovers. View the Altona Pier - Community Consultation Summary Report for further details.
The detailed design for the new pier draws on key features from the community-preferred concept design and schematic designs including:
- a modern look, y-shaped pier head which aligns with Pier Street, providing a connection to the historical elements of the pier’s heritage.
- a timber pier deck
- lighting to ensure safe pedestrian access
- an accessible lower landing providing connection to the water for swimming and recreational boating
- a pier head junction which provides space for emergency vehicles to turn safely
- space for fishing, boating and pedestrians
Above - July 2023, Altona Pier Redevelopment in progress with the new pier taking shape in the bay. Credit - SCC
Above - July 2023, Altona Pier Redevelopment in progress with an on-water barge completing the installation of new piles. Credit - SCC
Project timeline
May 2022 - Schematic designs released.
December 2022 - Detailed designs released and contract awarded.
Feb to May 2023 - Materials procurement and preparation for start of works.
May 2023 - Commencement of construction.
Late 2023 - Construction completed and new pier opens
Project timings are estimated and may be subject to change.
Image - Render of Altona Pier. Flyover view from Altona Foreshore.
Image - Render of Altona Pier. View towards Altona Foreshore.
Image -Render showing Altona Pier, outer pier and turning bay.
Image - Render showing Altona Pier's accessible lower landing.
Project partner and funding
Department of Transport and Planning
The Altona Pier Redevelopment is funded via an $11.9 million investment from the Victorian Government
Other information
Parks Victoria is the local port manager for Port Phillip, Western Port and Port Campbell. The three local ports combined receive approximately 80 million visits a year, and include 263,000 hectares of waterway, marine protected areas, channels, piers and jetties, moorings and aids to navigation.
Stay up to date
For regular project updates, please subscribe to the Altona Pier mailing list.
For general enquiries email info@parks.vic.gov.au or call us on 13 1963.
Related information
January 2024 - News article
December 2023 - Community Update
October 2023 - Community Update
June 2023 - Project Newsletter and Altona Pier project video
Feb 2023 - Project Newsletter
June 2022 - Media Release
May 2022 - Project Newsletter
Altona Pier - Community Consultation Summary Report
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Altona Pier need to be replaced?
The original timber pier at Altona was built in the late 1800s, with significant repair works carried out in the 1980s. The current structure is now nearing the end of its functional life. To best cater for current and future community needs and ensure long term sustainability, a replacement is the most viable option.
When will the new pier be built?
Site establishment and on ground works will get underway in mid-May 2023 and the new pier will be rebuilt and reopened to the public by late 2023.
Will the current pier be closed during construction of the new pier?
Yes, for safety a works compound will be established and the area surrounding the pier will remain closed to the public to access during construction. Altona Pier was damaged in a severe storm on Wednesday 9 June 2021, when the low landing broke away. The pier has been partially closed for public safety.
Can I swim, snorkel, or take my vessel near Altona Pier while works are underway?
No, for public safety a legal exclusion zone is in place while works are underway. The project involves major construction and demolition activities and as such, the area is unsafe to visit. Buoys will be in place on the water to mark the area with prohibited access during works. It extends approximately 50 – 100 metres from each side of the pier and outward from the pier head.
When will demolition of the old pier take place?
Construction and demolition will take place concurrently to deliver the project in the most efficient manner possible. At this stage a specific timeframe for demolition and removal of the old pier is not confirmed.
What impacts will there be to the community during works?
A site compound is established on the Esplanade between Pier St and Bent St. Traffic management will necessitate a detour for vehicles. Contractors will be working between 7:00 am and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday. There may also be work undertaken on an occasional Saturday. There may be some noise when offshore piling is underway, but it is unlikely to be found disruptive to residents and the community.
Will the Bay Trail be closed between Pier Street and Bent Street?
Pedestrians and cyclists can continue along the Esplanade’s Bay Trail via a dedicated access pathway on the North side of the road.
Will the current pier be demolished before the new pier is built?
During community consultation on the concept design for the new Altona Pier, the community told us that salvaging materials from the existing structure for use in public art, sculpture is the favoured option to maintain the historical value of the precinct. To achieve this, the existing pier timber needs to be dismantled to allow timber to be assessed, salvaged and milled to be able to be reused and incorporated into non-structural elements. The salvage process takes time and requires careful planning, therefore the existing pier will be removed in order to identify the quantity and quality of salvageable materials.
How was the design determined?
Parks Victoria engaged with the community and key stakeholders in July and August 2020 to gain feedback to help inform a future design and support decisions about the pier. More than 1,200 people provided feedback on three concept designs with more than 60 per cent choosing Option 3 with an angled pier head as the preferred design. Further design investigations have since revealed a number of constraints and opportunities which have shaped the concept design evolution, resulting in Option 3.a. Whilst the spirit of the Option 3 design selected by the community has been maintained via the proposed Pier St realignment and angled pier head, alterations have been proposed to ensure suitable pier and lower landing levels, sight lines and permeability, safety considerations and zoning of activities. The Community Engagement Summary Report can be viewed above, in the Related News section.
Is Altona Pier heritage listed?
The pier is not listed on the Heritage Victoria inventory list. The Hobsons Bay Planning Scheme Heritage Overlay HO255 includes the pier for its local historical and aesthetic significance to the City of Hobsons Bay. Given the heritage overlay, statutory approvals are required to be obtained. Parks Victoria has undertaken a heritage impact assessment and will continue to work with Hobsons Bay Council to integrate and share the history of the pier with the community.
How are the heritage values of the old pier and precinct being considered?
Whilst the current pier does not contain all its original fabric, with its rejuvenation in the 1980s, Parks Victoria recognises the heritage value the pier contributes to the precinct character and is committed to ensuring these values are preserved through appropriate management. While the broad values associated with the area will be preserved, the current pier will be removed to allow for the new pier. During the detailed design phase, those same heritage values will be considered in a heritage interpretation plan that will ensure the historical significance of the pier precinct is preserved and shared for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
As the pier is subject to a heritage overlay, planning approval to demolish the old pier may be required from the relevant statutory planning authority which is the Hobsons Bay Council. Marine and Coastal Act 2018 Consent from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is also required given the asset is located on Crown land and in close proximity to the coast.
What is happening with the timber from the existing Pier?
Parks Victoria will aim to recycle and reuse as much of the timber, providing to Hobsons Bay City Council for use in the Altona foreshore redevelopment project. Timber will not be available for purchase by members of the public.
What connection to the foreshore will the new Altona Pier have?
Unlike the existing Altona Pier, the new pier will be aligned to Pier Street, providing an improved visual connection to the iconic Altona foreshore. The new pier is planned to complement Hobsons Bay City Council’s Altona Foreshore Redevelopment project, which includes upgrades to improve shade, vegetation and coastal habitat at the main beach entry at Altona Pier, as well as providing new amenities including beach showers, bike hoops and public art to activate the vibrant space. The Foreshore project is funded by the Victorian Government.
What is happening with the Altona foreshore artwork 'Seaborn' by Pauline Fraser?
To protect this popular public artwork and facilitate access to the site during the Altona Pier redevelopment, "Seaborn" is being removed and safely stored by Hobsons Bay City Council. Once the pier redevelopment is complete, the artwork will be reinstalled on on the foreshore.