Rye Pier Reconstruction

Project status

February 2024:

•  The Rye Pier reconstruction is almost complete with some final elements to be delivered in the first part of 2024. 
• The pier was opened to the public over the 2023/24 summer holidays and will be closed during weekdays while final works are delivered.  
• Works are expected to take 4 months and the pier is planned to be opened to the public on weekends where possible. When the pier is open, public berthing will be available at the inner low landing, situated nearest to the foreshore. 
• The final works include new fenders to provide extra berthing capacity at the new low landings, finalising the berthing for larger vessels on the western side of the pier, and installing an interpretive signage trail.

 

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Background 

Rye Pier is located in the town of Rye on the Mornington Peninsula in southern Port Phillip. Rye Pier, originally built in 1860 and then completely reconstructed in 1993-94, is a popular destination for the local community and visitors.

The pier is 360 metres long with an 'L' shaped head.  An accessible low landing was added on the eastern side in 2020, after the previous landing was damaged by storm and removed.   

Today it is a popular sightseeing, fishing and swimming spot, featuring a low platform and seating for visitors. Rye Pier is an excellent day and night dive site offering beautiful underwater vistas and some of the warmest water in Port Phillip. There is a boat ramp nearby, a playground for the children and wide beaches for families to enjoy. 

The pier had reached the end of its design life and presented signs of structural failure posing a risk to public safety. Engineering inspections identified several piles had failed which is compromised the load limits and structural integrity of the pier.   

 

Above - Rye Pier reopens with the completion of Stage 1 works, December 2022

Key information 

Project partner and funding 

In 2022, the Rye Pier approach was completely reconstructed. These works were funded by the Victorian Government under the $24 million Piers and Jetties economic stimulus package to make it safe, more durable and improve accessibility.

During 2023 and in early 2024, the outer pier has been rebuilt and upgraded as part of an $18 million package for piers and jetties across Victoria from the Victorian Budget 2022-23.

 

Project stages and timing

Stage 1 works - Rye Pier Approach Reconstruction

• Planning and design – Complete
• Tender for construction – Complete
• Work commences –  early February 2022 - Complete
• Work completed - December 2022 - Complete

 

Stage 2 works - Rye Pier Head and Outer Pier Reconstruction

• Award the tender for construction - February 2023 - Complete
• Preparation for start of works - Early 2023 - Complete
• Work commences - April 2023 - Complete
• Pier reopens for summer - December 2023 - February 2024 - Complete
• Final works completed - Early 2024 - Underway

Timing is estimated and may be subject to change. 

 

Environmental management

Rye Pier is central to the beach and marine environmental amenity of the Mornington Peninsula on Bunurong Sea County. We know many incredible marine species rely on the artificial habitat provided by the pier, which is renowned as an ideal place to observe the Giant Spider Crab (Leptomithraxgaimardii) aggregation ahead of their annual Winter moult. This phenomenon, combined with the presence of many other incredible marine species from seasonal sightings of bottom feeding seahorses, stingrays, spider crabs and octopus through to a range of fish species, make it a popular dive location.

Consideration of the marine ecology data collected through citizen science initiatives and previous surveys, and an ecological study, has been used to consider the current marine life at the pier, important dive sites, impacts of pile removal and mitigation recommendations.   

Using this information, Parks Victoria has retained a selection of the redundant piles between the 200 and 270 metre section of pier where there are the greatest identified  ecological values.  This is done by cutting off viable piles anywhere between 0.5 and 1.5metre above the seabed allowing marine biota attached to the existing piles to remain in their habitat with minimal disturbance and assist with recolonisation on the new piles over time. 

   

Completion of high impact work, such as piling, ahead of the annual Giant Spider Crab aggregation that generally occurs from May is planned to help minimise impacts on this natural phenomenon and the viewing opportunity Rye Pier traditionally provides at this time.

 

Other information

Parks Victoria is the local port manager for Port Phillip, Western Port and Port Campbell.  The three local ports combined receive approximately 30 million visits a year, and include 263,000 hectares of waterway, marine protected areas, channels, piers and jetties, moorings and aids to navigation.  
 

Stay up to date

•  For regular project updates, please subscribe to the Rye Pier mailing list.
• For general enquiries email info@parks.vic.gov.au or call us on 13 1963. 

 

Related information 

• Media Release June 2023

• Rye Pier Community Update May 2022
• Rye Pier Community Update October 2022
• Rye Pier Community Update December 2022
• Rye Pier Community Update April 2023
• Rye Pier Reconstruction video September 2023
• Rye Pier Community Update December 2023

 

Places to see – Rye Pier 

Rye Foreshore - Rye Township Plan | Shape our Future

Rye Pier Approach Reconstruction - retention of redundant piles as ecological habitat 2021 by CEE Pty Ltd

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Is the entire pier being rebuilt or just the pier approach? 

In 2022, stage one of the project has delivered a rebuilt pier approach but further works are planned. In 2023 and early in 2024, stage two works will complete the reconstruction by rebuilding the outer pier and pier head and activating additional berthing

What will the completion of Stage 2 deliver?

Parks Victoria’s works to complete the pier’s reconstruction will deliver: 

• Removing the existing outer pier and pier head
• Rebuilding 125 metres of the outer pier approach and pier head from hardwood timber.
• An elevated and strengthened pier head
• Two additional low landings for more berthing capacity, connected via ramps
• Buffer piles
• Handrails and solar lighting for safety

 

Why is the Rye Pier Reconstruction project being delivered in two stages?

Rye is an important tourism destination with typically high visitation over the warmer months. After a busy year of works and pier closure during 2022, reopening the pier after Stage 1 enabled the public to visit and enjoy the pier over summer, prior to Stage 2 commencing to complete the project. 

 

How is Parks Victoria considering the marine life under and around the Rye Pier during the works?

Protecting the marine life of the area is critical to the project. In the planning phase, Parks Victoria commissioned an independent ecological study which recommended methods to retain the pier's ecological value as a dive and marine natural history site. Responding to the recommendations, Parks Victoria has retained a selection of the redundant piles between the 200 to 270 metre section of pier where there are highest ecological values, as part of stage one works. In stage two, a similar method of protecting marine values and life will be undertaken where safe to do so. 

 

Will the project include any interpretative signage?

As part of the project, a brand-new signage trail will be installed on the pier to celebrate our connection with marine species living in this special Port Philip location. The trail will bring to life the underwater world beneath the pier and help visitors understand why native marine life needs to be protected. In addition, we’re protecting marine values by retaining several timber piles from the old pier as habitat for diverse species including tube worms, molluscs and seahorses.

 

What public access is available to the pier during Stage 2 works?

Please refer to the 'Project status' at the top of this page for recent information regarding access to Rye Pier.

 

Will the low landing be available during Stage 2 works?

During the remainder of the project, the pier's inner low landing will be available on weekends when the pier is open to the public. The new low landings will be open and operational at the completion of the project, currently these areas display 'no berthing' signage.

 

Can the public snorkel or scuba dive under the pier during the works?

Swimming, diving, or snorkelling under the areas of the pier undergoing works is prohibited for public safety. If works are underway on the pier, access beneath the pier is unsafe.

 

Where else is available for people to berth, angle and snorkel during the works on weekdays when the entire pier is closed? 

Alternative angling and pier walking opportunities are available at nearby piers such as Rosebud, Dromana, Sorrento and Portsea. The adjacent Rye Boat Ramp jetty also continues to provide short term berthing opportunities.

 

What impact will the works have on the heritage values of the area? 

Parks Victoria values the heritage character of timber piers like Rye Pier and their importance to the community.  While Rye Pier is not heritage-listed, adopting an all-timber reconstruction methodology, including for the piles, crossheads, beams, decking and capping, will retain a maritime heritage character of the pier. The brick colour of the new hardwood timber will rapidly silver off to a natural looking, beachside material. 

 

What impact will the works have on the Rye Pier carpark?

A section of the Council carpark near Rye Pier is being used for a works compound to support the project which means a small reduction in the available parking.

 

How are these works being considered as part of the overall Rye foreshore redevelopment? 

Parks Victoria is working with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to ensure the on-water improvements complement and integrate with the Rye Foreshore redevelopment currently being planned. As part of this collaborative effort, Parks Victoria donated a significant amount of pier timber salvaged during the project. Complementing Council’s Rye foreshore redevelopment, salvaged pier timbers will be incorporated in landscaping elements providing a connection to the past and further enhancing the visitor experience.

Will the raised height of the pier still be DDA accessible compliant? 
Yes.  A ramp has been constructed where the pier entrance meets the foreshore, and another installed at the end of the rebuilt section before the low landing to connect with the existing lower pier head and low landing.  The two ramps will ensure continued all-abilities access to the varying levels of the pier.