Flinders Pier Project
Project status
March 2025
Parks Victoria would like to advise the Heritage Victoria Permit process has now closed. A further project update will be provided when Parks Victoria has considered any requests from Heritage Victoria relating to the public submissions.
Background
The original Flinders Pier was built in the 1860s and most recently replaced in 1970. Substantial modifications have taken place since the original structure, including removing the tramway, timber railing, and seating, replacing the decking, removing the landing at the northern end of the pier, and altering the width and landings.In 2010-2011, Parks Victoria completed significant redevelopment work at Flinders Pier. This included constructing a new 3.2-metre-wide concrete pier adjacent to the timber pier, increasing the pier’s load capacity and improving separation between authorised vehicles and pedestrians. During this time the first 180 metres of the 327-metre-long Flinders Pier were reconstructed. The reconstructed section was built from concrete, the existing timber section was retained as it still had some service life. Leaving it in place also reduced the construction impact on marine plants and animals while growth recolonised on the new steel piles.
Engineering assessments over the past few years have revealed that the pier's timber approach section (the first 180 metres) has reached the end of its service life. The timber has deteriorated to the extent that visitor access is no longer safe. For public safety, this timber section is now closed.
In October 2022, the Heritage Council of Victoria determined that the Flinders Telegraph Cable Complex and Pier precinct is of State-level cultural heritage significance and added it to the Victorian Heritage Register.
The Victorian Government, under the 2022-23 State Budget, has committed funding to plan to undertake safety works to Flinders Pier. Parks Victoria has undertaken this planning process with the heritage precinct stakeholder engagement to determine the next steps for Flinders Pier. This includs an earlier revision of the current Conservation Management Plan in partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. Flinders Pier, located on Bunurong Sea Country, is an important focal point for the local community and visitors. It is a popular place for walking, diving/snorkelling, angling and boating, and it is home to the Western Port aquaculture industry. It is an important local port facility for the Port Phillip Sea Pilots.
To support these activities, the full 327-metre length of Flinders Pier remains open for public access. The unsafe 180-metre timber approach section will remain closed until a course of action has been determined.
The project's primary goal is to take a sustainable long-term approach to managing the pier so that it delivers the best outcome now and for many years to come. We will continue communicating with the community and providing timely updates on the project’s progress.
Image - Flinders Pier at sunrise, 2023
Background information
Flinders Pier and Telegraph Cable Complex was the site of the first submarine telegraph cable between Tasmania and Victoria. This connected trading partners Victoria and Tasmania and enabled rapid communication between Tasmania and the rest of Australia and, subsequently, the world.
Given this significant history of the infrastructure, there may be future opportunities to discover more about this time and Australia's rapid growth in communications through archaeological features, deposits and artefacts.
The pier is also ideal for observing and studying Victoria’s marine emblem, the weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus.
The proposed repairs to the pier pose minimal risks and disturbance to the site's historical and/or marine significance.
In 2022, the Flinders Telegraph Cable Complex and Pier were added to the Victorian Heritage Register. More information can be found by visiting the Heritage Victoria website.
Project funding
In the 2022-23 Victorian State Budget $1.53 million funding has been allocated to plan for critical safety works to be undertaken at Flinders Pier.
Project partner
The Department of Transport and Planning
Protecting ecological values
We will continue to consider and protect the habitat of the incredible marine species which call this area of Western Port home. Home to Weedy Seadragons, the seabeds beneath Flinders Pier are alive with a diversity of species including Bluethroat Wrasse, Smooth Stingrays and Magpie Perch and many more.
Stay up to date
For project updates, please subscribe to the Flinders Pier project mailing list.
For general enquiries email info@parks.vic.gov.au or you can call us on 13 1963.
Related Information
Read the Flinders Pier Community Update 1 - May 2021
Read the Flinders Pier Community Update 2 - August 2021
Read the Flinders Pier Community Update 3 - September 2021
Read the Flinders Pier Community Update 4 - October 2021
Read the Flinders Pier Community Update 5 - May 2022
Read the Flinders Pier Community Update 6 - December 2022
Read the Flinders Pier Community Update 7 - August 2023
Read the Flinders Pier Community Update 8 - December 2023
Read the Flinders Pier Community Update 9 - May 2024
FAQs
How is funding for piers and jetties prioritised?
Piers and jetties play an important role for businesses and local communities and, given the large portfolio of maritime assets, the government must consider competing priorities for their repair and renewal. The Victorian Government made significant investments, including the $24 million investment in piers and jetties as part of the $2.7 billion economic stimulus initiative and is developing a fair and sustainable approach to future investment in these assets via the Sustainable Local Ports Framework.
Is Flinders Pier heritage listed?
Yes, in October 2022 a determination from the Heritage Council of Victoria found that Flinders Telegraph Cable Complex and Pier are of cultural heritage significance to the State of Victoria and these assets have been now added to the Victorian Heritage Register.
How will Parks Victoria manage the pier now it is on the Heritage Register?
The pier will continue to be inspected and maintained as part of Parks Victoria's asset management under the role of local ports manager. Minor works and maintenance which replaces like-for-like can usually be undertaken without the need for permits. Major repairs may require a permit before works commencing.
Why has the timber inner section of Flinders Pier been determined as unsafe?
The inner section of the timber pier was closed in April 2020 to protect public safety due to the deterioration of the piles and deck. This section has slumped in multiple sections and has been assessed as unsafe for pedestrian and vehicle access with significant risk of structural failure. In 2022, following a subsequent engineering inspection, an additional section has been closed for safety.
Can I still access Flinders Pier?
Yes. The closure to the timber inner approach section does not impact access or use of Flinders Pier. Authorised vehicles can continue to access the concrete pier head, while the lower landing, outer section of the timber pier and concrete pier head are still accessible to pedestrians.
As the pier manager, we will continue to undertake regular inspections of the pier to ensure visitor risks are managed, if required this may result in a recommendation to restrict access.
The closed section of Flinders Pier is in poor condition and there is a risk of timber failure. For public safety this area has 'no entry' signage in place to prevent access for walking, swimming and snorkelling/diving.
Other information
Parks Victoria is the local port manager for Port Phillip and Western Port, with the three local ports combined receiving 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.
Related references
Flinders Pier - an underwater discovery
Victorian National Parks Association - Reefwatch
Determining the specificity of fish habitat relationships in Western Port (2013) - Greg Jenkins, Tim Kenner, Andrew Brown
Understanding Western Port Report (2011) - Melbourne Water
Flinders Foreshore Reserve Coastal Management Plan (2010) - URS
Flinders Pier and Foreshore Coastal Management Plan Ecology Baseline Survey (2007)
Weedy Seadragon amongst seagrass (Amphibolis antartica) Juvenile Magpie Morwong and Bluethroat Wrasse
Smooth Stingray Diver under Flinders Pier
Images supplied by CEE Pty Ltd.