Update on the Williamstown Local Port Area Plan project

March 2023

Situated on Bunurong Sea Country in Melbourne's vibrant west, the Williamstown maritime precinct is popular for recreation and hosts important commercial activity. To ensure the area's on-water assets are well placed to meet existing challenges, support future changes and adapt to growth, Parks Victoria is developing a local port area plan for Williamstown, and at other key locations across Melbourne.

With the project commencing late in 2022, work is now well underway. Over the past few months we've built momentum by engaging with key stakeholders in the vicinity to identify challenges, opportunities and discuss present and potential uses of the precinct. Following a tender process, we're pleased to have appointed experienced consultants Urbis to deliver the plan.

On completion, the plan will deliver a future-ready guide focussing on-water elements of this priority precinct. The plan is an important tool to guide the Victorian Government’s investment priorities and provides a sustainable approach to meeting economic, tourism and community needs.

The next step for the project is developing the draft plan which incorporates the work we've done, we'll then release it for public consultation in mid-2023.

Project timeline

• Late 2022 Background research, technical investigations and stakeholder consultation. Completed.
• Early 2023 Engage heritage consultants to undertake a review of the precinct's historical values. Completed.
• Early 2023 Engage consultants to prepare the draft Williamstown Local Port Area Plan. Completed.
• Early-Mid 2023 Consultants prepare the draft Plan. Underway.
• Mid 2023 Release the draft Plan and launch community consultation.
• Spring 2023 Evaluate community consultation feedback and incorporate into final Plan.
• Late 2023 Release the final Williamstown Local Port Area Plan.

Other planning underway

Local port area planning ensures Parks Victoria is well-placed to meet future challenges at key maritime precincts which we manage. The planning process evaluates current infrastructure, identifies key and growing uses and plans to address challenges in these dynamic coastal locations. 

In 2022, Parks Victoria developed and released the Sandringham Harbour Local Port Area Plan, which was well-received by key stakeholders and the wider community. Public consultation during the development of the plan included community preferences for a new Hampton Pier, which is funded by the Victorian Government to be rebuilt in coming years. 

Local port area planning is also commencing at other priority locations to ensure the on-water assets are well-placed to support present and future uses and growth. Planning for Sorrento and Mornington Harbour is underway and will commence later in 2023 at Rhyll.

Stay up to date

Further information on the Williamstown Local Port Area Plan is available at the dedicated Project Page.