Liberal candidate for Nepean, Sam Groth, has promised the Flinders community $3.5m for the conservation and restoration of the historic timber structure. Mr Groth made the election commitment while meeting locals at the pier on Wednesday 7 September.

He said that the Flinders Pier is an important symbol of maritime history on the Mornington Peninsula; and much loved and used by locals and visitors alike. In May, the Labor Government announced $1.5m funding for critical works to the first 180m of the pier. Today’s announcement commits a Liberal Government to the restoration of the full pier.

At the moment, we only have funding for repairing the closed section of the pier. Given the whole pier was built at the same time, eventually money will be needed to fix the other sections.

We haven’t yet heard whether the Government will match this pledge.

 In its July Project Update, Parks Victoria announced that engineering studies of the pier were complete and further deterioration has been detected. This highlights the need for urgent attention and a holistic approach to the restoration of the full timber pier.

Sam Groth was accompanied at the meeting by Shadow Minister James Newbury MP and Cathrine Burnett-Wake MP. Cathrine is the MP who spoke out for Saving Flinders Pier on the floor of Parliament in February.