Fisherman’s Jetty, Mornington ‘unsafe’, but boats allowed to stay
The romance of the old fishing boats at a popular Mornington jetty has been saved – for now.
South East
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Panicked Mornington boat owners have won more time to relocate their vessels from Fisherman’s Jetty.
And they may even be able to leave the boats there while the crumbling structure is repaired or replaced.
The small jetty which forms part of the Mornington Harbour Precinct was declared unsafe by Parks Victoria and boat owners with vessels at 23 berths given two business days – until 4pm Wednesday – to relocate.
About six boaties met with Parks Victoria staff at the jetty on Wednesday to plead for more time to find new berths for their boats.
After padlocking the jetty gates the staff agreed to allow the boats still in berths at the jetty to stay on, as long as owners only accessed them from the water.
A timeline for the eventual relocation of the boats was not given.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to come up with some sort of system that allows our boats to stay here while repairs are underway,” boat owner Colin Smith said.
The boats could be moored to buoys nearby but not attached to the pier, he said.
Parks Victoria district manager, Port Phillip Western Port, Graeme Davis emailed mooring permit holders on Friday, October 31 advising that a recent assessment of the jetty identified “significant structural issues”.
It said several piles had “failed completely” and others were in “very poor condition”.
“Given the poor condition of the structure, Parks Victoria will heavily restrict both the pedestrian and berth loading along the Jetty,” the email states.
It advised boat owners that from 4pm Wednesday, November 4, the jetty would be locked and restricted access provided via a key for berth numbers MJO006 MJO008 MJO010 MJOO13 MJO014 and MJI030.
The remaining 23 berths had to be vacated.
Part refunds for berth permits would be available.
“Our engineering team is currently considering options for Fisherman’s Jetty, but it is likely these arrangements will be in place for a considerable period,” the email states.
The Mornington Harbour Association was shocked by the short notice, lack of other mooring options and failure to consider coronavirus travel restrictions.
Association representative Rob Warden was phoned by Parks Vic at 1.07pm on Friday and given the “bombshell” news that all boats on the jetty had to be moved by 4pm Wednesday.
“We need more time and help with finding another berth,” Mr Warden said.
“One of my boats – a 65 year old couta boat style net boat – isn’t going at the moment and I’m waiting to get it into Mornington Marine to get some work done.”
Mr Warden, 65, said many of boat owners with permits for jetty berths were older people.
“Traditionally the jetty is for old boats too. Most owners are older blokes who like to come down here and chat and potter on their boats and take them for a tootle up the bay.
“These aren’t rich people with flashy, fibreglass boats.”
He urged people to support the boaties by following the Mornington Harbour Association Facebook page.
Mornington Yacht Club Commodore Greg Martin said the club and mooring holders were concerned that the action was taken with “no consultation and no future plans in place”.
“The timing is staggering, right at the start of the fishing, boating and sailing season,” Mr Martin said.
He said the jetty has had little or no maintenance for years.
“The Yacht Club as part of the Harbour Precinct Working Group, set up by (Mornington Peninsula) Shire to improve the precinct for all users, has been asking Parks Victoria as long as two years ago to make repairs to the jetty to no avail.”
Parks Victoria confirmed that the jetty was unsafe and that boat owners would have to move from berths at the structure.
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