The Pillars in Mt Martha to close after residents complain of visitors trashing the cliff-diving site
UPDATE: Cliff-jumpers have been urged to stay away from The Pillars over the long weekend — despite a lack of signs or fences signalling the recent controversial ban.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
- ’People don’t understand the risks’
- New speed warning at The Pillars
- Cliff-diving haunt trashed by beachgoers
- Cops crack down on popular cliff parking
- Secret beaches you can daytrip to
PEOPLE have been urged to stay away from a popular cliff-jumping site over the long weekend — despite the fact that no signs or fences indicating the recent controversial ban have yet been installed.
The mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire — which this week voted to ban public access to The Pillars in Mt Martha — pleaded with people to keep away from the site.
But residents near the Mt Martha are bracing themselves for an influx of cliff jumpers this holiday weekend after discussion on the controversial decision exploded across social media on Wednesday.
Cr Bev Colomb said today that proposed fencing around the dangerously eroded cliffs could not be installed without Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and State Government permission.
“How long that will take we don’t know,” she said. “We will work on getting signage up and informing people it’s closed for cultural and environmental reasons.
“We really do hope that communities understand what we’re trying to do. It is early days and the council resolution has just happened. Now we have to work through how to do it in the best way possible.”
Cr Colomb said she was appealing “to the best in people with this”.
Earlier, fans of the popular cliff-jumping spot reacted with mixed emotions after a shock decision to close the scenic spot, which was “trashed” after a social media phenomenon.
Many people are tagging friends on Facebook and Instagram, suggesting they head to the Mornington Peninsula and Mt Martha’s world-renowned The Pillars over the Australia Day weekend, while locals are expressing delight that the scenic spot — once a local secret — will soon be off-limits to “the feral masses”.
Resident Hannah V Gordon wrote: “Thank you so much for all your passion and commitment. A great result for everyone and our beautiful foreshore!”
Michael O’Beirne also applauded the decision, saying, “Winners are grinners and bye bye to the trash that have trashed our Pillars”.
But others have remained defiant, with one person joking: “Like a fence is going to stop people.” Other visitors also pointed out they could still access the cliffs via the water, on jetskis or in boats.
As previously reported by Leader, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council plans to install temporary fencing at the site to prevent hordes of visitors — and locals — accessing the dangerously-eroded cliffs for at least two years.
But it is unclear how soon the fence will be installed.
Previously a close-guarded secret among locals and famed for its Mediterranean-style good looks, the site swiftly rose to fame via social media and attracted “hordes” of visitors parking illegally near the Esplanade site, along with serious concerns about traffic congestion, extreme littering, public drinking and offensive behaviour.
A packed council meeting last night heard the site — once a local secret — was now a “must-do” for many visitors to the peninsula, thanks to posts on global social media.
The urgent meeting, called to consider options for the future of the site, heard there had been five serious accidents there in the past year, leading to three air ambulance extractions and two rope rescues.
One swimmer had struck a cliff while backflipping into the water, and there were also injuries from a jetski collision in the water below the cliff.
There had also been many near-misses on the Esplanade, along which visitors walk to reach the cliffs.
The Pillars is not a formal location for visitors and has no parking, footpaths, road crossing area, toilets or rubbish bins.
Councillors last night voted to build a fence to close the site, and employ an officer to explain to hopeful visitors the safety, environmental and cultural reasons for the decision.
The Pillars area includes Aboriginal middens and artefacts and falls within the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
The council will also ask Aboriginal Affairs Victoria how to reinforce and protect the heritage values, and seek advice from the State Government on the best way to completely ban the public from the site.
Council will now install a temporary fence — although how soon is uncertain — and review its effectiveness after two years.
Only one councillor, David Gill, voted against the option, saying it did not go far enough and the council should urgently ask the State Government and Aboriginal Affairs for a complete ban in place.
“This is not a suitable site for the public,” he said.
Resident David Martin said he was relieved the council had taken the matter seriously but was concerned there was no discussion about people accessing the cliffs from the water.
“The overriding sentiment seemed to be that action was indicated and essential to preserve a singular geographic beauty that is at risk of permanent damage due to its recent elevation to ‘internet icon’,” he said.
“It was good to hear the dissenting councillor (David Gill) express his concern that bogging down in the procedural necessities would slow progress to a standstill.”
Social media phenomenon sparks Pillars rush