Community Update 3
Portarlington Pier Project

May 2022

Work to upgrade Portarlington Pier as part of the Victorian Government’s $24 million piers and jetties economic stimulus initiative is progressing well.    

The improvements are creating a state-of-the-art maritime facility that is safer and more accessible for commercial operators, recreational boaters, anglers, the local community and visitors for years to come. The project is on track for completion by late June 2022, although improvements to the surrounding area, including landscaping, will be finished after the pier is completed.  

Read on to find out the latest news or visit the project page.

Project stages update

Covered walkway construction

Construction of the covered walkway commenced in February and will be finished in late June 2022. We’re continuing to work collaboratively with the  Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to feature Aboriginal art designs on the walls of the new covered walkway. This will provide visitors with a rich, visual storytelling experience. Celebrating a sense of being on Wadawurrung Sea Country, the designs capture stories of place, water and journey.  

Construction of the covered walkway, which includes widening the pier approach, will provide safer access from the foreshore to the ferry terminal, providing an optional separation of commercial vehicles and pedestrians, and provide shelter from wind, rain and wave spray.  

Artists impression of Wadawurrung artwork integrated into the covered walkway

Artists impression of Portarlington Pier's new covered walkway entrance.

Construction of a new foreshore 'groyne'

On the foreshore, a collection of 13 concrete mussels has been installed as part of the project. Designed in collaboration with Wadawurrung, a local landscape artist and foreshore management, the mussels serve an important function in sand retention by helping to prevent future beach erosion. Visually they serve as a continuation of the covered walkway’s artwork, provide a link to the important local aquaculture industry and enhance the area’s amenity for visitors. While solid (the smallest one weighs 500kg), the mussels can be mechanically relocated in future to best serve their purpose in protecting the foreshore ecosystem.   

Portarlington foreshore with mussel groyne installed adjacent to the pier’s covered walkway  

Concrete mussel 'shells' on Portarlington foreshore  

Interpretive signage

To further enhance the site’s ongoing visitor experience and provide a rich understanding of the new elements at Portarlington Pier, information and interpretive signage will be installed over the coming months. The signage will provide useful information to help visitors to interpret the site, including Wadawurrung Sea Country artworks and foreshore installations.    

Access to the harbour during works  

Maintaining safe access to the pier throughout the work continues to be our priority.  At times, some access restrictions may be required to keep people safe.  Signage at the site will keep people informed. Visitors can continue to enjoy scenic walking, angling and boating, and access to the ferry terminal with minimal disruptions. 

If you're a licensed berth holder and need to discuss alternate access arrangements during works contact the Parks Victoria Queenscliff Office on 13 1963.