Community Update 
Rye Pier works nearing completion

October 2022

After a busy year of works we’re pleased to share that Rye Pier is set to reopen for summer. We’re preparing to welcome people back to one of the peninsula’s most scenic coastal destinations, boasting clear waters and views across Port Phillip. After months of construction, the 309-metre pier approach has been redeveloped into a brand-new platform for the local community and visitors to access the bay.  

While the pier has been closed, we’ve achieved some great outcomes: 

• Reconstructed 309-metres of the pier from the foreshore to the low landing. 

• Widened the pier’s timber deck to 4.2 metres (1.2m wider than the old pier) for better visitor access and more space.     

• Raised the pier approach by 600 mm to cater for future sea level rise.     

• Resurfaced the pier entrance's concrete ramp and installed a temporary ramp before the low landing to ensure all-abilities access to the varying levels of the pier this summer.    

• Installed steel handrails on both sides of the pier approach for improved safety.    

• Installed new solar lights for greater energy efficiency and visitor safety.   

Works to redevelop the pier approach began in March this year and were expected to be completed by winter. To further improve access to the pier’s low landing at the completion of the project, the project scope was expanded to construct an additional 39 metres of decking. This addition is now almost complete and with only minor works to go, we are now planning for a summer opening.  

Visiting Rye Pier this summer

Visitors will be able to access to the entire pier over summer for walking, fishing, boating and snorkelling. 

We’re reopening the pier in December 2022 and will communicate further once the exact reopening date is confirmed. Before reopening, contractors will vacate the Rye Pier carpark which will return space to the community to use over what’s sure to be a busy summer ahead.  

The reconstructed portion of the pier is now higher than the outer pier and pier head. To enable everyone to access the entire pier, we’re building a temporary ramp to connect the varying levels.   

The revitalisation of Rye Pier is set to continue

The 2022-23 State Budget included a further package of funding for Rye Pier, enabling Parks Victoria to plan to complete a full pier reconstruction. The further funding means we can build a new, stronger pier head and incorporate an additional low landing along the pier head.   

The tender for these works has closed with the procurement process underway. We will announce the successful contractor later in the year along with the dates and any public access restrictions while works are in progress. However, rest assured that works won’t begin until after the busy summer holiday period. 

The redevelopment of Rye Pier is a significant project which will strengthen the pier as a local community asset and attraction for decades to come. Thanks again for your patience while we deliver this important work. 

Protecting the marine environment 

Protecting local marine life is a key consideration of this project. In 2021 we commissioned an Rye independent ecological report to provide recommendations on how to retain the pier's ecological values as a dive and marine natural history site. As a result, we’ve retained a selection of the old piles at a depth with the highest ecological values. We’ve cut off viable piles above the seabed which has allowed marine life attached to the piles to remain in their habitat with minimal disturbance. This will also assist with recolonisation onto the new piles over time. As planning for stage two commences, we’ll continue work to protect marine values and share the outcomes with you. Importantly we are already seeing signs of marine life colonising the newly installed timber piles which is great to see. 

Complementing improvements to Rye foreshore 

We’re working with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to ensure the pier’s on-water improvements complement and integrate with the Rye Foreshore redevelopment project. As part of this collaborative effort, we’ve donated a significant number of salvaged timbers from Rye Pier to council for use in landscaping elements. Showcasing pier timbers in creative ways will further improve the visitor experience and connection to the maritime environment.