Altona Pier Redevelopment

Community Update

June 2023 - Issue 3

A new Altona Pier is already taking shape!

Altona Pier is being completely rebuilt and locals will no doubt be aware that work is now well-underway.

It’s exciting to see new pier piles visible in the water, providing an early look at the pier’s new alignment to Pier Street and improving sightlines to the village. The piles are made of steel for durability and are driven into the seabed by a specialist piling barge. When works are complete, the 310-metre new pier will have a total of 137 piles in place as structural supports

Above – New piles visible in the water as the outline of the new pier begins to take shape.

Visiting the area during construction

Traffic management is in place with signed vehicle detours on the Esplanade. Pedestrians and cyclists can continue to use the popular bayside route via a dedicated access pathway on the north side of the Esplanade.

To deliver this major project, works will take place from land and via barge. To keep people safe, fences are in place on Altona Beach which mark the works area. There is also an exclusion zone in place on the water, prohibiting anyone from accessing the areas approximately 100 metres around the pier.

Above – On the Esplanade, signage shows the safe access pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.

Removing the old pier

We’re committed to maritime safety and need to remove the entire pier as part of the project. Leaving any part of the old pier structure in place in the bay poses a high risk to boaters, swimmers and other water users.

Works will continue over the coming months with pile installation ongoing, and the removal of the existing pier getting underway. As we’ve shared previously, the removal will focus on salvaging pier timbers some of which will also be used to make new seating which will be installed along the new pier approach.

Salvaging materials for connection to Altona’s past

As part of the project, Parks Victoria will provide Hobsons Bay City Council with a number of old pier timbers.

These timbers will be prioritised in projects within the Altona Pier precinct including a new entrance to the pier and the Esplanade revitalisation. Any remaining timbers in Council’s possession will be dedicated to other public open space projects throughout the municipality.

Timber piles will be examined by researchers

Capturing marine values

There is a lot to learn when decades-old structures are moved! We’re working with the Museums Victoria Research Institute to facilitate access to examine a number of timber piles once they’re removed from the ocean seabed.

The work will involve capturing photos and video of the encrusting marine life to explore the "hidden" biodiversity on these structures. Making the most of this unique opportunity, the project will enhance knowledge about local marine biodiversity, and the educational content is planned to be shared on the Museums Victoria website in future.

Above – The popular artwork ‘Seaborn’, by Pauline Fraser which is currently in storage.

A special sculpture safely stowed

The striking and well-known public artwork ‘Seaborn’ by Pauline Fraser usually sits pride of place at the entrance to Altona Pier. Made of bronze and steel, the piece celebrates cuttlefish, weedy sea dragon, leatherjacket, crab and shell, five marine creatures found in the bay. While the construction project is underway, Council has temporarily removed the piece for safe keeping, and will reinstate the artwork on the foreshore once works are complete.

Project timeline

Preparation for start of works - Early 2023 – Complete
Establish works site – May 2023
Works commence on ground and via barge – mid-May 2023
Work completed - Late 2023, timing subject to weather conditions and materials availability.

Learn more about the Altona Pier Redevelopment

Find out more

Parks Victoria, Level 10, 535 Bourke St,
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia,
Phone 13 1963

This email is being distributed using Campaign Monitor, you can read their privacy policy here.