In its heyday, the Dromana Pier was among the grandest in Victoria. It stretched a remarkable 500 metres into Port Phillip Bay, and passenger and freight vessels used the pier as a transit point for flocks of tourists as well as timber and fresh produce.
The original structure was built in the 1860s and could accommodate paddle steamers that regularly docked at the pier.
Dromana Pier when it stretched 500 metres into the water. Credit: Dromana District Historical Society
But a century and a half on, the Dromana Pier is a far shorter and less impressive version of its former self. The structure currently stretches only about 180 metres, ending in shallow water. The end is fenced off after falling into disrepair.
The first 180 metres of the pier was rebuilt in the middle of the 20th century, but the structure was later afflicted by concrete cancer. Soon, the pier will be reconstructed yet again, but will remain at its current length under present plans.
Now, there is a campaign under way to restore some of the pier’s former glory and span. Community groups in Dromana want the pier extended back into deep water so it can once again welcome tourists by sea and provide new infrastructure that could deliver an economic boost to the seaside town.
Dromana Association vice president Bruce Mesley said the pier desperately needed to be rejuvenated.
Dromana Association vice president Bruce Mesley.Credit: Joe Armao
“In the last three decades, it’s been completely run down,” he said. “What we have now is just an eyesore.”
The state government has committed more than $10 million to rebuild the pier. But the Dromana Association says just rebuilding the current structure, which can barely accommodate small boats, would be a missed opportunity. It estimates that for $23 million in total the pier could be extended by about 90 metres, which would take it into deep water.
Mesley said the desired extension would enable larger watercraft to dock, allowing for the possibility of water taxis and other vessels. He said water travel would give visitors direct access to the Dromana township while easing congestion on roads that became particularly busy in summer.
Melsey said the Dromana Pier was once a grand entrance to the Mornington Peninsula. “It was the place to arrive,” he said.
Dromana Pier this week. Credit: Joe Armao
Mesley said extending the pier would also allow people to dive safely into the water, and support the development of aquaculture industries, including mussel and oyster farming.
Dromana and District Historical Society president Jean Rotherham backed the push to lengthen the pier, saying it was still popular with locals who used it for fishing, strolling and enjoying the marine environment. “The longer it is, the more people can enjoy that aspect of the town,” she said.
Rotherham said young people still gathered at piers across the Mornington Peninsula. Rejuvenating the structure in Dromana, Rotherham said, could help to make it an attractive tourism destination once again.
She said the pier had previously been one of the longest in Victoria. At their peak, paddle steamers could bring in up to 3000 people a day, Rotherham said.
The Dromana Pier previously had tracks and a cart for carrying passengers’ luggage.
The proposed new design for the Dromana Pier. Credit: Parks Victoria
Parks Victoria has committed to completing the pier reconstruction by spring 2026. The government agency did not respond to The Age’s questions about whether it would consider lengthening the pier.
In its latest online community update, Parks Victoria said the new pier would feature solid timber decking to replace the concrete. It promised the pier would continue to welcome boats and people fishing and the designs would reflect the community’s desire to focus on the natural environment.
But Parks Victoria was rocked this week by a government announcement that its chief executive had departed “by mutual agreement” and there would be a review into the agency. Auditing firm KordaMentha will oversee the review into Parks Victoria’s administration, finances and delivery model.
The latest developments raise questions about whether Parks Victoria will be able to deliver some of its major projects on time. The state government has agreed to extend the consultation period on proposed bans on some rock climbing routes at Dyurrite, also known as Mount Arapiles, in north-western Victoria, from December to February.
Dromana Pier has fallen into a state of disrepair. Credit: Joe Armao
The proposed bans were introduced in response to concerns from the Barengi Gadjin Land Council about preservation of Indigenous heritage at Dyurrite. But some rock climbers have been angered by the proposed bans, saying that while they support protecting Aboriginal culture they had not been properly consulted.
On the southern side of the Mornington Peninsula, Parks Victoria plans are under way to repair the Flinders Pier, which was also built in the 1860s. Stretching out 327 metres, the pier can accommodate fishing boats and recreational vessels. Recently, the community in Flinders rallied against government plans to demolish part of the heritage structure.
Parks Victoria has since committed to maintaining the heritage sections while rebuilding part of the pier. But Save Flinders Pier Campaign chairperson Charles Reis said construction had yet to begin.
“It is just talk at the moment, until I see that first pile driven into the sand,” he said.
Charles Reis at Flinders Pier.Credit: Jason South
Reis said the community was becoming frustrated with the slow rate of progress.
“Their patience is now starting to wear thin because it’s now been a couple of years since the money was made available to Parks Victoria.”
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