Rhyll Local Port Area Plan Project

Project status

July 2024

• Community consultation on the draft plan is now open on Engage Victoria - closes 12 August 2024
• View the Draft Rhyll Local Port Area Plan here
  
  
  

 

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Have your say

Parks Victoria is now inviting community input on the draft plan. Feedback collected will help inform the development of the final Rhyll Local Port Area Plan ensuring this valuable maritime precinct continues to serve the community's needs into the future.

View the draft plan and submit feedback via the Engage Victoria survey

 

Overview

The draft plan presents a proposed design solution for Rhyll Jetty which will provide safe and efficient commercial and recreational use, while supporting marine-based tourism for the region. 

The proposed design solution for Rhyll Jetty includes:

• maintaining the character of the jetty (T-shaped pier head, on the same alignment and length)
• a new pontoon head which provides all tide berthing and pedestrian access, improved response to the local wave climate, and accommodation for the sea level rise
• continued berthing opportunities for existing licensed tour operator vessels
• continued provision of short-term berthing for recreational users and facilitation of cruse ship tender transfer operations
• improved safety and accessibility on the jetty ensuring compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)(DDA) requirement

 

Above: Rhyll Jetty - the preferred design solution (Source: FSC Range, 2024)

 

The project

This project is being delivered on Bunurong Sea Country. 

This includes considering commercial and visitor berthing opportunities and gaps for services on offer, channel widths and berths for large commercial vessels, ensuring any proposed future changes to Rhyll Jetty or the swing moorings contribute to an overall improvement in access. 

Community feedback on the aspirations and requirements for a successful maritime facility is now open.

 

An aerial view of Rhyll local port area and supporting infrastructure (Credit: Better Boating Victoria) 

Map of the Rhyll Local Port Area Plan showing boundary of project focus site.  Note: aerial map does not reflect recently upgraded boat ramp.

Background

Located on Phillip Island, Rhyll is popular with people accessing the many great recreational boating and fishing opportunities on offer in Western Port. Rhyll Jetty provides vital on-water access to popular Phillip Island tourism attractions, is an important destination for the cruise ship industry, and supports smaller local tour operators.     

 

Project funding

This project is part of the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Local Ports Framework and Parks Victoria's local ports forward planning program. Local ports play an important role for businesses and local communities. This plan will help guide Victorian Government investment priorities and provide a more sustainable approach to meeting economic, tourism and community needs. 

This planning project is funding by the Victorian Government via the Department of Transport and Planning.

 

Who are we working with?

A project reference group comprising representatives from Parks Victoria, Bass Coast Shire Council, Destination Phillip Island, Department of Transport and Planning, and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation are advising on the project.   

 

Project timeline

• Background research and technical investigations – Spring 2023 completed
• Preparation of the draft plan – Late Spring / Summer 2023 completed
• Community consultation of draft plan – July / August 2024 Underway 
• Feedback considered – Winter 2024 
• Final plan released – Spring 2024 

 

Document Library

• Download the draft Rhyll Local Port Area Plan 2024 pdf
• Download the draft Rhyll Local Port Area Plan 2024 word accessible doc.
• Download the Rhyll Jetty Heritage Review 2023

 

Staying updated

For general enquiries email engage@parks.vic.gov.au or call us on 13 1963.

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Related information 

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.  

Parks Victoria is currently undertaking a local port area planning process for Sorrento and  St Leonards in Port Phillip. Final plans have been released for Mornington, Williamstown and Sandringham Harbour.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Rhyll Local Port Area Plan project?

The Rhyll Local Port Area Plan project is about Parks Victoria engaging with stakeholders and the community to understand how they use the jetty, what challenges they experience and ideas for the future to help inform the development of a plan for the local port area.  It will propose a future for Rhyll Jetty with consideration for safety, functionality, future demand and use, access and movement to serve users into the future as the community changes and grow.

Why is the plan needed?

There are many changing circumstances that have the potential to influence the future operation of the local port area, such as accommodating future demands for commercial and visitor berthing, the deteriorating condition of Rhyll Jetty, and sea level rise. The plan will also consider ways to make the jetty and surrounding waters safer and more accessible; and guide Victorian government on the priorities for the repair and renewal of infrastructure to meet future economic, tourism and community needs.  

What does the project include? 

The planning process will consider the following known challenges and other relevant matters that are raised throughout the process. 

- A preferred design solution for the future of Rhyll Jetty once it reaches the end of its design life

- Maritime safety and compliance with relevant standard for access channels 

- A functional on-water layout which enhances activity, considers impacts on the swing moorings, and ensures that boat ramp functions are not impacted Opportunities for commercial berthing 

- Opportunities for recreational uses and visitor berthing 

What are the steps / processes involved in preparing the plan?

1. Reviewing existing technical information and filling the gaps with new investigations where required. 
2. Consulting with key users and stakeholders to understand the challenges and aspirations for the jetty and water use. 
3. Preparing the draft plan and releasing it for community feedback. 
4. Amending the draft plan in response to what we’ve heard following consultation. 
5. Finalising the final plan for release.  

How can community members contribute to project?

The draft plan has been prepared and is now being shared for community consultation via the Engage Victoria website. View the draft plan and submit feedback via the Engage Victoria survey. To be kept informed about the project, register to receive updates or email the Project Team at engage@parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 1963.

Who is responsible for managing Rhyll Jetty?

Parks Victoria is responsible for the management of Rhyll Jetty and on-water infrastructure, as both the Port Manager for the local port of Western Port and as the Committee of Management for the Crown Land Reserve. Bass Coast Shire Council manages the foreshore, public boat ramp, and parking as Committee of Management.

When will the plan be implemented?

The plan sets out a future direction for Rhyll and will be used to direct and prioritise future investment. Any changes proposed by the plan will need to be further developed and costed.

How will the heritage values of the precinct be considered in the future plan?

As part of the planning process, Parks Victoria sought appropriately qualified consultants to provide advice on the heritage values of Rhyll Jetty. Refer Document Library - Rhyll Jetty Heritage Review 2023  

What is the current condition of Rhyll Jetty?

Rhyll Jetty was built more than 45 years ago and will reach the end of its design life in the coming years. The jetty has been closed to service vehicles since mid-2021.  It was necessary to lower the load limit of the jetty to ensure safety, prevent further degradation and ensure it remains suitable for community use while its future and restored vehicle access is considered as part of the planning process.  The jetty is open for pedestrian access and for use as a pickup/drop off berthing by commercial operators.  Public vehicles have never been permitted to drive on the jetty.