Hampton Pier’s future still unclear despite petitions getting huge support

Petitions to save 150-year-old Hampton Pier are getting a mountain of signatures and will be tabled at parliament in four weeks. But Parks Victoria still can’t guarantee the pier’s future.

Hampton Pier has been shut and locals are worried it won't reopen. John Burton (front) and group of affected boaters in front of closed pier. Picture by Wayne Taylor 17th June 2020

A petition to save the 150-year-old Hampton Pier has amassed more than 1100 signatures.

The petition was created after the Leader reported on June 17 the historic pier was facing permanent closure because of structural damage.

A community-led fight, backed by local government including Bayside Council and Sandringham state Liberal MP Brad Rowswell, is demanding answers from Parks Victoria and the State Government about the pier's uncertain future.

Because of coronavirus restrictions the petition started online and there is a push to reach 2000 signatures before August 4 to get it tabled in the Legislative Assembly as a supportive document.

Hampton Pier in 1882. Locals are worried the century-year-old pier will be shut forever after Parks Victoria closed it last week.

But hard copies, which are needed to be tabled in parliament, are being circulated around Bayside and one of the organiser’s, Graham White, said they’d already reached at least 400 signatures in a few days.

“It’s going really well and has been surprisingly successful off the back of the media coverage and we’ve had at least a dozen groups get involved,” he said.

“COVID has made it difficult to set up in the street, but some retail outlets and supermarkets have been involved and they’re a great help.

“We’re hoping next week forms will be sent out to residents for them to sign, because we need all the support we can get.”

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Mr Rowswell said it was just the beginning of the community campaign and is working on ways to help distribute the petition to Hampton residents.

“We won’t stop until the pier is fixed and reopened,” he said.

Parks Victoria told the Leader there was no update on the status of the pier.

@mottersjames