Controversial fence at The Pillars, Mt Martha, to be torn down

A controversial fence set up to stop thrillseekers risking their lives jumping off a popular Mornington Peninsula cliff will be torn down, as police say it is not working and they are wasting their time patrolling the site.

Police have told a public meeting that a fence at the notorious Pillars cliff jumping site didn’t stop daredevils from getting there. Picture: Penny Stephens

The controversial $150,000 fence at the notorious Mt Martha cliff jumping site will be taken down after the police said it didn’t work and they were “spending too much time” patrolling it.

And a Mornington Peninsula Shire officer has revealed recent drone footage showed more people were using boats to get to the Pillars.

Mornington Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards told a public meeting this week police wanted to address other matters rather than parking and pedestrian issues at the site.

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“We would like to be doing other things than spending too much time at the Pillars,” he said.

Sen-Sergeant Edwards also revealed he had directed officers not to go beyond the fence unless specific criminal offences were being committed because of concerns about their safety.

There were radio black spots in the area, he said.

Sen-Sergeant Edwards was applauded by members of the public at the packed meeting, hosted by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

A $150,000 fence put up in an attempt to stop people getting the Pillars will be removed over Easter. Picture: Penny Stephens

Drone footage shows more people are using boats to access the site. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A Lifesaving Victoria representative told the meeting injured thrillseekers were diverting resources from other emergencies.

He said daredevils had suffered broken backs at the Pillars.

“My guys are pulling resources away from where they are supposed to be,” he said.

“You can’t stop people from jumping … more and more people are getting banged up.”

A Lifesaving Victoria representative says daredevils have suffered broken backs jumping off the cliffs. Picture: Valeriu Campan

During the meeting residents repeatedly slammed the fence as ugly and demanded it be removed, saying it had created a more dangerous situation due to people walking on the road.

Some said a boardwalk should be built and the area opened up as a tourist attraction.

But others argued the area was environmentally sensitive and could not cope with hordes of people jumping from the cliffs.

“The numbers (of people) are not sustainable … I am really worried about the environment,” a woman said.

Mornington infrastructure services executive manager Jessica Wingad said the number of people at the cliff had lessened considerably since the fence was installed in December.

But she said drone footage showed more people were using boats to get to the cliff.

Locals have complained about broken glass, vandalism, fighting and aggressive behaviour after thrillseekers posting their jump photos on social media led to an influx of young people.

Residents say the Pillars area is environmentally sensitive and could not cope with hordes of people jumping from the cliffs. Picture: Penny Stephens

The council erected the concrete and mesh fence after receiving legal advice that it faced liability if a jumper was injured.

Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Sam Hearn, who chaired the Wednesday night meeting, said the two-metre fence would be removed during Easter.

Council officers will prepare a report for councillors before they determine their next step.

Councillors had previously flagged replacing the $150,000 temporary fence with a permanent wall.