Flinders Pier will not be fully rebuilt, with Parks Victoria confirming the historic timber inner section is in worse condition than previous inspections indicated.
The update marks a major setback for the heritage-listed pier, which became the centre of a long-running community campaign after earlier demolition plans sparked local opposition.
Parks Victoria said recent assessments found the timber inner section’s crossheads, beams and piles were more deteriorated than a previous inspection report had indicated.
The authority said the section can no longer be repaired and will need to be rebuilt instead.
“The expanded scope of the restoration means that it will not be possible to rebuild the full length of the pier.”
Parks Victoria
Parks Victoria said all old timber piles had been removed for public safety. It said balustrading would be installed along the edge of the concrete pier, while some of the timber inner section would be rebuilt before reopening once works finish.
Campaign Chair Questions Reduced Rebuild
Save Flinders Pier campaign chair Charles Reis OAM has questioned the explanation and warned that the reduced rebuild could fall short of the heritage obligations attached to the pier.
In a statement published by Flinders Village on 23 April, Mr Reis said Parks Victoria’s explanation was that the required works were “not within the current project scope and budget”.
He also raised concern over Parks Victoria’s statement that only some of the inner timber section would be rebuilt.
“Finally, the statement makes an ominous warning: ‘We will rebuild some of the inner timber section’. We don’t know what this means. However, Parks Victoria needs to be reminded of its obligations under the Heritage Victoria permit which requires full, like for like replacement.”
Charles Reis OAM, Chair, Save Flinders Pier Campaign
$1.53 Million Allocated For Safety Works
The Victorian Government allocated $1.53 million in the 2022-23 State Budget for critical safety works at Flinders Pier.
The timber inner section has been closed since April 2020 because of deterioration in the piles and deck, with Parks Victoria saying the area posed a significant structural risk.
Parks Victoria says the full 327-metre concrete pier remains open to the community, while the timber inner section remains closed for construction and safety reasons.
Heritage Pier At Centre Of Community Campaign
The Heritage Council of Victoria added the Flinders Telegraph Cable Complex and Pier to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2022 after finding the site had state-level cultural heritage significance.
The pier has long attracted walkers, divers, snorkellers, anglers and visitors. The surrounding waters are also known for the weedy seadragon, Victoria’s marine emblem.
The Save Flinders Pier campaign drew widespread support after earlier plans proposed removing the timber section.
The Flinders Community Association says the Victorian Government later reversed the demolition decision and allocated funding to begin restoration works, following a campaign backed by nearly 45,000 supporters.
Reduced Rebuild Leaves Questions
Parks Victoria’s latest position leaves the community with a reduced outcome.
Some of the timber inner section is expected to return, but the full length will not be rebuilt.
The decision raises fresh questions about whether the existing funding can deliver the restoration many locals expected, and whether the State Government will provide further money for the heritage-listed structure.
For now, the future of the full timber section remains unresolved, with Parks Victoria confirming only a partial rebuild will proceed under the expanded scope of works.
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