Save Flinders Pier calls on state government to honour pledge to restore historic wooden structure
More than 40,000 people, including Sir David Attenborough, fought to save Flinders Pier. Three years on it’s still closed and locals fear a pledge to fix it won’t be honoured.
South East
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The future of a historic pier regarded as one of Victoria’s best dive spots is again clouded amid claims a cash-strapped state government may be forced to scale back restoration work.
A document released by Heritage Victoria has revealed the long-over due repairs to Flinders Pier could be restrained by a lack of funds.
The state government allocated $1.5m in the 2022 State Budget for critical works on the pier, including replacing deteriorating piles.
However, the document, which formed part of a heritage application to restore the pier, stated that the works could be contained due to a lack of funds.
“Depending on the available funding, Parks Victoria may need to prioritise pile replacement and omit certain (piles) from the scope of works,” the document states.
Save Flinders Pier chairman Charles Reis said the document “signals” the money was running out to “properly restore the pier”.
Since $1.5m was allocated in 2022 money has been spent on conservation consultants
for the pier, Marine Ecology Consultants, engineering consultants, a condition report, an
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage impact study, a localised heritage impact study and two
precinct conservation management plans.
“Nearly a gigabyte of data, and not a single nail has been hammered into the pier to keep it
safe,” Mr Reis said.
“I understand the importance of these reports, but we also need action to get the pier
repaired and opened again to the public.”
The 160 year old wooden structure was partially closed in 2020 after the 180m section deteriorated to the point it was no longer safe for public access.
It was initially slated for demolition but the state government changed its mind after about 45,000 people, including Sir David Attenborough, joined a campaign to save the pier.
“The Flinders Pier is part of our State’s history,” Mr Reis said.
“The weedy seadragon that lives beneath the pier attracts visitors from around the world,” Mr Reis said.
Liberal state MP for Nepean Sam Groth said the longer it took to fix the pier the further it would deteriorate.
“The last thing we want is for the pier fall down or deteriorate beyond repair,” he said.
“Is the Labor government that broke they can’t honour their promise to fix the closed section?”.
Mr Groth’s 2022 election campaign included a promise to allocate $3.5m to restore the entire pier.
Parks Victoria has been contacted.