Anglers slam move to shut Portsea Pier for scheduled maintenance
Calamari are biting but the best place in Port Phillip Bay to catch them is off limits. Here’s why.
South East
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Anglers are fuming after a Mornington Peninsula pier was closed ahead of a prime fishing season.
Portsea Pier has been fenced off by Parks Victoria for scheduled maintenance including decking and pile replacement.
A notice on the fence warns that during the work it is “unsafe to swim, dive or snorkel” beneath the pier.
The state government has advised visitors to use Rosebud, Seaford and Frankston piers instead.
The move has been slammed by anglers who say the timing of the closure could not be worse.
Tackleworld’s David Kramer said calamari season had just begun and the pier was the best place in Victoria to catch them without a boat.
“It’s breeding season, and this is the number one place to catch the big calamari,” he said.
“In October there would be up to 60 anglers every weekend on the pier catching calamari.
“Why does the work have to be done now?”
However, Parks Victoria director for southern and maritime Jo Richards said weekend access to the pier would be available for fishers, berth holders and licenced tour operators.
Ms Richards said the important maintenance works would support the structural life of the historic pier.
“We’re getting these vital works completed ahead of a busy summer season and have had signage in place to keep the community informed,” she said.
Not all Portsea Pier users were angry about the work or how the closure was handled.
Redcoats managing director Luke English said Parks Victoria had worked hard to ensure his dive business could continue to operate during the closure.
“We were informed well ahead of time about the need to do the work and a great deal of effort was made to accommodate dive business, especially RedBoats which is the biggest user of the site,” Mr English said.
He was disappointed about the backlash over the work.
“The work needs to be done,” he said.
“Signs alerting people to the upcoming maintenance and the need to close the pier have been up for months.”
Once the Portsea Pier work has been completed maintenance will begin on Sorrento Pier including repairs to low landing piles and fenders to support recreational vessels and commercial operators including the Queenscliff ferry.
Mesh would be added to the pier’s low level landing walkways.
Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne said the government was investing $18m in Victorian piers and jetties.
“The work on these iconic piers means not only they will be more resilient, but local and visitors can connect with the local marine environment on the Peninsula for generations to come,” Ms Horne said.
Labor MP for Nepean Chris Brayne was “delighted” to see the repairs planned to Sorrento and Portsea piers.
“They are special places for our community and these works will ensure even more of us get to enjoy them,” he said.