St Leonards Pier Rebuild and Local Port Area Plan

Project status

December 2024 - Community Update

View the St Leonards Local Port Area Plan - Community Update - December 2024
We appreciate your patience and anticipate having a final Local Port Area Plan available to share with you in 2025

The project

This project is being delivered on Wadawurrung Sea Country.

A local port area plan is in development for the future of St Leonards Pier and the adjoining waters managed by Parks Victoria.

The St Leonards Local Port Area Plan (plan) will draw from the current understanding of the site, as well as ideas and aspirations generated from community feedback and set out a strategic direction ensuring it continues to be a thriving maritime asset for many more years to come.

Focusing on the on-water elements, the plan aims to improve the safety, functionality, respond to changing conditions and user needs and confirm the community’s aspirations for a rebuilt pier.

Stakeholder and community feedback is helping shape the new pier design. Between 9 March 2024 and 27 April 2024, we asked the community and stakeholders to share ideas and feedback on a draft St Leonards Local Port Area Plan.

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.

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 walking, boating and fishing opportunities on offer in Port Phillip and holds significant value to locals and visitors alike.

St Leonards Pier, first built in 1857 and most recently rebuilt in 1987, is coming to the end of its serviceable life. Funding to rebuild St Leonards Pier has been committed and planning is underway. This planning project will provide guidance on the design in readiness for construction.

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

The alignment and functional attributes of a rebuilt St Leonards Pier
A functional on-water layout which enhances activity, movement and use and considers impacts on swing moorings, dredging, fairways and berthing
Opportunities for short-term visitor berthing
Future demand and use

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.

Project funding

The planning project is funded by the Victorian Government through the Department of Transport and Planning. The pier rebuild is funded by the Victorian Government under the 2023-24 State Budget.

Who are we working with?

A project reference group comprising representatives from Parks Victoria, Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management, City of Greater Geelong, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and the Department of Transport and Planning are advising on the development of the plan.

Related information

Download the Engagement Summary Report 2024 (PDF)

March 2024 - Community Update Edition 1
September 2024 - Community Update Edition 2

Project timeline

Phase 1 – 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 2023-24
Feedback considered – Winter 2024
Engagement Summary Report released - September 2024
Revised plan release – 2025

Phase 2 – Rebuild St Leonards Pier *
Contractor procurement
Final approvals and permits
Construction commencement
Construction completion

* Delivery will commence following the planning phase.

Frequently asked questions

When will the pier be built?
The Victorian Government allocated funding in the 2023-24 State Budget to rebuild St Leonards Pier, allowing initial planning to get underway. The local port area plan will help inform the design of the rebuilt pier. Construction is expected to begin following the planning, approvals and procurement stages.

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

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.
Amending the draft plan in response to what we’ve heard following consultation.
Revising the plan for release.

Why does a plan need to be completed before the pier is rebuilt?

The plan is a strategic document to guide the future of this area within the local port. This process is critical for Parks Victoria to understand the changing and growing needs of the community to ensure the future pier design meets the needs of the community and stakeholders and is resilient to coastal process and climate change.

How will stakeholders and key users be involved in the project?

The planning process includes opportunities for stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, and key users and interest groups to provide input through meetings and emails to inform the development of the draft plan. Parks Victoria consulted with key stakeholders directly in November 2023, this feedback has been used to inform the draft plan.

Who did you consult with to prepare the plan?

Stage 1- Stakeholder / Key User Consultation

In November 2023, Parks Victoria consulted with key stakeholders and user groups through meetings and focus group discussions.

The participants worked with Parks Victoria to discuss the current uses, issues and future vision of the St Leonard’s local port area. Early input from this group and members of the Project Reference Group helped inform the draft plan.

Stage 2 – Community Consultation
The next stage involved engagement with the wider community to gather feedback on the draft plan. Altogether, 779 submissions were made through the consultation process.
The findings from the engagement are available here

How will the planning process consider the rebuild of the Pier?
Community feedback on the aspirations and requirements for a successful pier facility gathered through the planning process will be used to help inform the next stage of pier design.

How will the protection of the marine values of the precinct be considered in the plan?
The purpose of the plan is to consider the future safe operation of the pier and surrounding water use. The protection of local marine values will be considered as part of the planning process and any future project plans.

Staying updated

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

Related information

St Leonards Local Port Area Plan is part of a series of plans in development or recently completed. Local port area plans for Rhyll, Sorrento, Williamstown, Mornington and Sandringham have been finalised. The Sandringham and Mornington plans are being used to guide planning for the Hampton Pier and Fishermans Jetty rebuilds. The Victorian Government, under the State Budget 2022-23, committed $18 million to deliver critical works on local piers and jetties including the rebuild of Mornington Fishermans Jetty.

For more information visit https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects