Mornington Harbour Local Port Area Plan
Project status
June 2024
- A plan that sets the direction for Mornington Harbour and its facilities is now available.
- For updated information on Fisherman Jetty Rebuild please visit Parks Victoria website.
The project
This project was undertaken on Bunurong Sea Country
The Mornington Harbour Local Port Area Plan seeks to celebrate Mornington Harbour as a working port with a diversity of uses, while responding to existing and future demands to create safe and navigable water for harbour users.
The plan provides direction for the reconstruction of Fishermans Jetty and proposes an additional new jetty arm to accommodate berthing for larger vessels. The plan also defines channels within the harbour, improves fairway access to the boat ramp, and changes to the swing moorings.
Information gathered from key stakeholders and the community, alongside technical investigations and other research, has been used to help inform the development of the final plan which is now publicly accessible.
View the Mornington Harbour Local Port Area Plan here
View the Mornington Harbour Local Port Area Plan - Community Engagement Report
Above - An aerial view of Mornington Pier, the mooring ground and various maritime infrastructure. Credit Parks Victoria.
Above - Map showing focus area for project and existing conditions
Background
The Mornington Harbour local port area is located on the Mornington Peninsula. The area has traditionally been home to a range of recreational, commercial and community boating activities.
As the local port manager for the local port of Port Phillip, Parks Victoria manages a variety of maritime infrastructure assets in the are including a large portion of Mornington Harbour, the associated Mornington Pier and Fishermans Jetty and facilitates berthing and swing mooring opportunities within the harbour.
The plan confirms replacement of Fishermans Jetty preserving the heritage values of the area, as well as ensuring that the harbour’s access channels continue to provide safe access for the vessels today, while catering for potential future operators, tourism and commercial needs.
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 investment where it is needed most.
Project funding
This planning project was funded by the Victorian Government through the Department of Transport and Planning. The jetty rebuild is funded by the Victorian Government under the 2022-23 State Budget.
Who are we working with?
A project reference group comprising representatives from Parks Victoria, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Better Boating Victoria, the Department of Transport and Planning and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation has been convened to advise on the project.
Project timeline
- Technical investigations and research – Autumn 2023 - complete
- Early stakeholder engagement – Winter 2023 - complete
- Prepare the draft plan - Winter 2023 - complete
- Community consultation of draft plan - Spring 2023 - complete
- Feedback considered - Late 2023 - complete
- Final plan released: June 2024 - complete
- Planning for Fishermans Jetty rebuild: Underway **
Timelines are a guide only and may be subject to change.
** Further information around the timing on the rebuild refer to the project webpage Fishermans Jetty Rebuild
Document library
- Download the Mornington Harbour Local Port Area Plan 2024 pdf
- Download the Mornington Harbour Local Port Area Plan 2024 word accessible doc.
- Download the Community Engagement Summary 2024 pdf
- Download the Community Engagement Summary 2024 word accessible doc.
- Download the Fishermans Jetty Heritage Review 2023
- Download the Stakeholder Engagement Key Findings Report (July 2023)
- Download the November 2023 Community Update
Staying updated
For general enquiries email info@parks.vic.gov.au or call us on 13 1963.
Subscribe for project updates.
Related information
Parks Victoria is currently undertaking a local port area planning process for Sorrento, Williamstown and St Leonards in Port Phillip and Rhyll in Western Port. A final plan for Sandringham Harbour was released in late 2022 and being used to guide the rebuild of Hampton Pier.
Parks Victoria is the local port manager for Port Phillip, Western Port and Port Campbell. The three local ports combined include 263,000 hectares of waterway, marine protected areas, channels, piers and jetties, moorings and aids to navigation.
Places to visit Mornington Pier
FAQs
What is a local port area plan?
The Sustainable Local Ports Framework introduces the concept of a local port area plan to guide investment priorities for the local port infrastructure where it's needed most. The aim of a local port area plan is to address current and future uses and development.
Who prepared the local port area plan?
Parks Victoria, as the relevant local port manager, led this planning project. A Project Reference Group comprising representatives for the Parks Victoria , Mornington Peninsula Shire , department of Transport and Planning and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action advised on the project.
Why is the plan needed?
Over the last ten years there has been significant investment in the replacement and upgrade of Mornington Pier and landside infrastructure, with further funding for the replacement of Mornington Fishermans Jetty committed in the 2022-23 Victorian Budget. To ensure the best outcome from this investment, a local port area plan is being developed. The plan confirms replacement of Fishermans Jetty preserving the heritage values of the area, as well as ensuring that the harbour’s access channels continue to provide safe access for the vessels today, while catering for potential future operators, tourism and commercial needs.
Who did we consult with the prepare this plan?
Stage 1 - Stakeholder / Key User Consultation
In July 2023, Parks Victoria consulted key local stakeholders and user groups through meetings and a focus group. The participants worked with Parks Victoria to discuss the current value, issues and future vision of Mornington Harbour local port area. Early input from this group has helped inform the draft plan. View the Stakeholder Focus Group key findings report.
Stage 2 - Community Consultation
The next stage involved consulting with the wider community to gather feedback on the draft plan to help inform the final plan. Altogether, 66 people shared their feedback and ideas through the Engage Victoria consultation process that ran from 10 November to 8 December 2023. The findings from the consultation, and how the feedback shaped the plan is available here.
What is happening with Fishermans Jetty?
Works to restore and re-open this important maritime asset are underway. Fishermans Jetty was demolished late March 2024 and planning is underway for the rebuild. The new jetty will reinstate berthing for vessels and ensure the jetty is able to be visited and enjoyed by the community once again. The project is being funded through the Victorian Government’s 2022-23 $18 million investment package towards critical pier infrastructure upgrades across the state. Timing on work to replace the jetty will be announced as the project progresses depending on the design and construction phases
Where can I find out more about Fishermans jetty Rebuild Project?
The project web page will be updated throughout the project and people can subscribe to receive project e-newsletters which will be distributed at project milestones.
What does the project include?
The planning process will consider the following known challenges and other relevant matters that are raised throughout the process. This includes:
- Anticipated impacts of accommodating the berthing and safe movement of larger vessels such as Tall Ships and a commercial passenger ferry.
- Maritime safety and compliance with relevant standard for access channels.
- Ensuring any modifications to the local port area do not impact on access to a rebuilt Fishermans Jetty or other new infrastructure.
- Location and number of berth and moorings for optimal use.
What are the plan's implications for the provision of swing moorings in the harbour?
To ensure the fairways comply with the relevant Australian Standard, some swing moorings will need to be relocated or removed. Stakeholder engagement and technical advice identified an issue with the widths of fairways required to accommodate larger commercial vessel access to the berths in the inner harbour area. This means that there will be less vessels moored and berthed in the harbour. The proposed options aim to minimise the impact on the number of vessels to be moored or berthed in the harbour by reinstating Fishermans Jetty and proposing a new berthing infrastructure.
Who is responsible for managing Mornington Harbour and Fishermans Jetty?
Parks Victoria is responsible for the management of the harbour and on-water infrastructure, as both the Port Manager for the local port of Port Phillip and as the Committee of Management for the Crown Land Reserve. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council manage the public boat ramp and car park and is the landlord for Mornington Yacht Club. The slipway falls within the Mornington Yacht Club lease area.
When will Fishermans Jetty be restored and re-opened for public use?
Planning for critical repairs to restore and reopen this important maritime asset is underway. The project will reinstate berthing for vessels and ensure the pier is able to be visited and enjoyed by the community once again. This project is being funded through the Victorian Government’s 2022-23 $18 million investment package towards critical pier infrastructure upgrades across the state. Timing on work to replace the jetty will be announced as the project progresses depending on design and construction phases. Removal of the current jetty is necessary because of the redevelopment.
How will the plan be implemented?
The plan sets out a future direction for each priority local port area and will be used to direct and prioritise future investment. Any changes proposed by the plan will need to be further developed and costed. As a first step for Mornington Harbour, funding has been committed for a rebuild of Fishermans Jetty that will preserve the heritage values of the area and progress a key objective of the plan to improve harbour safety, function and access.
How will the heritage values of the precinct be considered in the plan?
As part of the planning process, Parks Victoria engaged an appropriately qualified heritage consultant to provide advice on the heritage values of Fishermans Jetty. Consideration has been given to the historical and social significance of the jetty uncovered through the technical investigations and early stakeholder engagement phase of this project, and its replacement sympathetic to its original characteristics is confirmed in the plan.
What are the plan's implications for the provision of the swing moorings in the harbour?
To ensure the fairways comply with the relevant Australian Standard, some swing moorings will need to be relocated or removed. Stakeholder engagement and technical advice identified an issue with the widths of fairways required to accommodate larger commercial vessel access to the berths in the inner harbour area, and the need to provide safe direct access to the Mornington Yacht Club and Mornington public boat ramp.
The creation of two entrance channels and compliant fairway widths to ensure a safer and more functional harbour means that there will be less vessels moored and berthed in the harbour. The next step is to progress the changes to the channels and fairways, in re-gridding the swing mooring ground and fairway creation to the boat ramp.
How can I stay informed?
You can also subscribe to be kept informed about project news and upcoming consultation or engagement opportunities.