Seawall repairs at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park

Project status

December 2022

• Tenders have been sought to to repair the seawall at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park.  

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The project

The historic seawall at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park was first constructed in the 1850s and later reconstructed. Many years of erosion from wind and waves have resulted in significant scouring behind the seawall, and bluestone blocks being dislodged.

The project will deliver works to repair the seawall, to ensure it’s preserved and safe for the community to enjoy for years to come.

Following geotechnical and structural investigations in 2021, consultants SMEC were appointed and have completed detailed specification work, which will be used to guide the repair works.

Environmental and cultural heritage assessments will inform exactly where, when and how components of the project are delivered. 

 

Above: Damage to Point Gellibrand seawall. 

Above: Sketch of a concrete pour to repair a section of damaged seawall.

 

Project benefits

Visitors

Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about Melbourne’s extraordinary maritime history. Visitors can explore the historic Timeball Tower with its early timeball signalling apparatus, get a glimpse of the extensive system of shore defences at Fort Gellibrand or enjoy views of Port Phillip on a walk or cycle along the Bay Trail. Repairs to the seawall will ensure that visitors will be able to continue to safely enjoy the promenade within Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park for years to come.  

Community 

The promenade at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park is a popular place for the local community to visit, offering views of Port Phillip Bay and a space to walk, run or cycle. Repairs to the seawall will ensure that the local community will be able to continue to safely enjoy the promenade for years to come.

Project funding

These works are being delivered through the Victorian Government’s $21 million Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program.

 

Project timeline

Subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions, the timeline for the project is estimated below:

• September 2021: Consultants SMEC engaged
• Spring 2021: Structural and geotechnical investigations of the seawall completed
• Early 2022: Options analysis and concept design options developed
• Early 2022: Decision made on whether to repair or reconstruct the seawall
• Mid 2022: Designs developed
• Late 2022: Procurement
• Early 2023: Construction commences

This timeline will be updated as the project progresses.

 

Environment and cultural heritage management

Parks Victoria has worked closely with Heritage Victoria and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to ensure the heritage values and coastal environment are protected before and during works. By preserving the wall and undertaking repairs, rather than replacing the structure, we are preserving the history of the seawall and the Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park.

Who are we working with?

• The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
• Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
• Heritage Victoria

  

Access changes

Seawall repairs
As at December 2022, there are no access changes to the promenade at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park, in relation to the seawall repairs being carried out by Parks Victoria. We will list any access changes in relation to this project as works on the seawall repairs progress.

Mobil maintenance works on Battery Road
From September through to early 2023, Mobil will be completing maintenance works on Battery Road, Williamstown, adjacent to Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park. During this time, there may be road closures and limited pedestrian and bike access to the promenade and Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park, and detours may be in place. For more information, contact Mobil.   

Staying updated

Subscribe for updates or contact the project team at engage@parks.vic.gov.au or call us on 13 1963.

 

Related information

• 18 July 2022: Media release: Coastal park upgrades coming to Melbourne's West
• 30 May 2022: Media release: Repairs to rejuvenate Point Gellibrand seawall
• 20 September 2021: Media release: Point Gellibrand sea wall one step closer to new life
• Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program
• Bay Trail extension at Point Cook
• Upgrades at 18 parks
• Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park

 

FAQs

What are you doing to repair the seawall at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park?
Many years of erosion from wind and waves have resulted in significant scouring behind the seawall, and bluestone blocks being dislodged. The project will deliver works to repair the seawall, to ensure it’s preserved and safe for years to come.

What are you doing to preserve the history of the seawall?
While the seawall is not registered on the on the Victorian Heritage Register, Parks Victoria has worked closely with Heritage Victoria and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to ensure the heritage values and coastal environment are protected before and during works. By preserving the wall and undertaking repairs, rather than replacing the structure, we are preserving the history of the seawall and the Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park.

How have you kept the community informed about this project?
Regular updates about the project have been published on the Parks Victoria website and through community newsletters. If you would like to keep up-to-date on the progress of the seawall repairs you can subscribe to our newsletter here. 
 
Can I still go fishing off the seawall during construction?
The portion of the seawall that is being repaired will be fenced off from the public during construction. There will be alternative routes for pedestrians to travel along the promenade, however fishing in this section won’t be possible during this time. 
 
How long will the seawall be closed for repairs? 
Subject to on-ground and industry conditions, we anticipate the seawall will be closed for repairs for a minimum of six months, as we need to work in alignment with the tidal fluctuations and water levels. This will be confirmed after the tender process has been completed. 

What other works are happening as part of the Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program? 
The Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program is also set to deliver: 

• New and upgraded visitor facilities at 18 popular parks across Melbourne, including picnic shelters and tables, toilets, trails, carparks, BBQs, playground equipment.
• An extension of the iconic Bay Trail at Point Cook, building the missing link between Williamstown and Point Cook Coastal Park to provide a continuous off-road journey for walkers, runners and cyclists.
• New and refurbished visitor facilities as part of the Wattle Park upgrades project
• New and refurbished visitor facilities as part of the Plenty Gorge Park upgrades project 

The program has already delivered: 

• Early works were completed at Braeside Park, Greenvale Reservoir Park and Cardinia Reservoir Park in early 2022. 
• 17 parks also received new picnic tables made from recycled plastic in March 2022. 

How can I stay up-to-date with project progress? 
You can subscribe for updates on the Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program’s seawall repairs here. 

Who can I contact for more information?  
If you have questions or want to learn more about a project, you can call the Parks Victoria team on 13 19 63 or email us at engage@parks.vic.gov.au.