The FCA has written an independent report on the condition of the Flinders Pier.

See report  here.

On 7 September, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council voted unanimously to support our efforts to Save Flinders Pier. This is an important development in our effort to Stop Parks Victoria from demolishing the historic inner section of the pier.

During the September Council meeting, all Councillors voted unanimously to support Heritage Victoria’s consideration of the Flinders Historic Foreshore Precinct for the Victorian Heritage Register. The Council also acknowledged the advocacy efforts of the community and the FCA to save the pier through gaining media attention and an online petition; and agreed that the Mayor would write directly to the relevant Ministers stating the community and Council’s opposition to the demolition.

The Council also plans to engage external consultants to undertake a peer review of the Marine Ecology Survey that Parks Victoria has prepared ahead of the demolition; as well as peer reviews of the Jetty Removal Impact Assessment and the Heritage Impact Assessment.

We still have a long battle ahead but deeply appreciate Council’s support. Special thanks to Hayden Forrest from the Shire who prepared the recommendation. And also special thanks to Cr. David Gill who spoke extensively in its favour and Cr. Anthony Marsh for his support of the motion.

On 7 September, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council voted unanimously to support our efforts to Save Flinders Pier. This is an important development in our effort to Stop Parks Victoria from demolishing the historic inner section of the pier.

During the September Council meeting, all Councillors voted unanimously to support Heritage Victoria’s consideration of the Flinders Historic Foreshore Precinct for the Victorian Heritage Register. The Council also acknowledged the advocacy efforts of the community and the FCA to save the pier through gaining media attention and an online petition; and agreed that the Mayor would write directly to the relevant Ministers stating the community and Council’s opposition to the demolition.

The Council also plans to engage external consultants to undertake a peer review of the Marine Ecology Survey that Parks Victoria has prepared ahead of the demolition; as well as peer reviews of the Jetty Removal Impact Assessment and the Heritage Impact Assessment.

We still have a long battle ahead but deeply appreciate Council’s support. Special thanks to Hayden Forrest from the Shire who prepared the recommendation. And also special thanks to Cr. David Gill who spoke extensively in its favour and Cr. Anthony Marsh for his support of the motion.

On 7 September, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council voted unanimously to support our efforts to Save Flinders Pier. This is an important development in our effort to Stop Parks Victoria from demolishing the historic inner section of the pier.

During the September Council meeting, all Councillors voted unanimously to support Heritage Victoria’s consideration of the Flinders Historic Foreshore Precinct for the Victorian Heritage Register. The Council also acknowledged the advocacy efforts of the community and the FCA to save the pier through gaining media attention and an online petition; and agreed that the Mayor would write directly to the relevant Ministers stating the community and Council’s opposition to the demolition.

The Council also plans to engage external consultants to undertake a peer review of the Marine Ecology Survey that Parks Victoria has prepared ahead of the demolition; as well as peer reviews of the Jetty Removal Impact Assessment and the Heritage Impact Assessment.

We still have a long battle ahead but deeply appreciate Council’s support. Special thanks to Hayden Forrest from the Shire who prepared the recommendation. And also special thanks to Cr. David Gill who spoke extensively in its favour and Cr. Anthony Marsh for his support of the motion.

Sir David Attenborough, the greatest conservationist of our time, has lent his support to our efforts to save the habitat of the Weedy Sea Dragon which lives among the pylons of the Flinders Pier.

In a letter last month to the FCA, Sir David wrote:

“I am so sorry to hear of the threat to the habitat of the Weedy Sea Dragon on the Mornington Peninsula. I do indeed think that it is a most wonderful creature and if I find an opportunity to  draw attention publicly to the changes that now threaten its survival, I will take them.”

The letter and our fight to save the historic Flinders Pier sparked considerable interest across the media, featuring on the front page of The Age newspaper, all the nightly television news services, 3AW and on the ABC.

Our petition to save the historic Flinders Pier has since reached 25,000 signatures.

We have learnt that Parks Victoria knew the pier required mi

nor maintenance to the pylons and failed to act in a manner that would ensure the ongoing integrity of the structure. We have also since discovered that Parks Victoria issued a tender in March 2016 for the replacement of decking and timbers for only half the pier – leaving the other half of the pier to fall into disrepair.

Furthermore, Parks Victoria proposes converting the concrete pier, originally built to safely separate vehicles from pedestrians, into a dual-use thoroughfare. Yet the concrete pier, measuring a width of only 4m, is not wide enough for trucks to safely pass pedestrians unless they stand still or walk in single file. In other words, the concrete pier is too narrow for people in wheel chairs or families with prams to safely pass a moving delivery or fuel vehicle under the new arrangements proposed by Parks Victoria.

We need to restore the historic Flinders Pier to ensure the safety of everyone who enjoys it. We need to preserve the habitat of the Weedy Sea Dragon, Victoria’s maritime symbol.

The FCA is continuing to request the State Government to examine options for the restoration of the historic Flinders Pier.

Please help by emailing your State member; writing a letter to your local newspaper; or donating to the FCA’s Save Flinders Pier fighting fund. Even the smallest of voices can make a difference.

The Committee of the Flinders Community Association has met to discuss next steps, following its Save the Pier public meeting in early May. The FCA believes this will be a ‘long burn’ issue, which means that decisions and actions will take some time to influence and we need to prepare for a drawn-out campaign that could run into next year.

The Committee has decided to focus its attention on two outcomes over the next 8 weeks.

The first is to request a face to face meeting with the Minister, Melissa Horne. The Minister has the power to over-turn decisions, reject advice and instruct her Departments to look at alternatives. It is possible that she may welcome a direct discussion with our community and find value in preserving the pier for future generations of Victorians.

Our second tactic is to continue building online awareness; and getting our message and petition on to as many Facebook pages as we can. A petition with a 1000 signatures is easily ignored. While a petition of 100,000 signatures begins to attract attention. We need to get our message to every single Victorian. This is an issue that is much bigger than Flinders.

The FCA may consider

commissioning an independent report including heritage assessment. This depends on cost and will remain an option subject to our discussions with the Minister.

Thank you to all our members for your support and please stay with us as we take our early tentative steps. Please continue to promote our Save the Pier online petition and share it across other media platforms and amongst your friends and family wherever possible.

Flinders Pier Presentation for public meeting – May 2021

Nearly 300 people packed into the Flinders Hall on Saturday 8 May to discuss the recently announced plans to demolish 180 metres of the historic pier. The plan was announced last year by the Minister for Ports, Fishing and Boating, Melissa Horne MP, but it was not reported in the media at the time. Residents only found out last month thanks to Mornington Peninsula News.

During the meeting, Flinders residents were also informed for the first time that the Government is commencing an assessment for a multi-lane boat ramp on the foreshore of the Flinders beach.

The already endangered weedy sea dragon, an emblem used by the State of Victoria, will be put at significant risk if the Government proceeds with plans to replace the historic Flinders Pier with a concrete boat ramp for jet skis and power boats. Dr Neil Hallam provided a valuable explanation of the Weedy Sea Dragon’s life cycle; and its dependence on the coral that is attached to the pier’s pylons as an important food source.

The meeting was also addressed by local Member of the Legislative Assembly Chris Brayne and Councillor David Gill who both support the preservation of the Flinders Pier. Also in attendance were Mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire Despi O’Connor and CEO John Baker, along with local diving groups, conservationists, residents and supporters.

The weedy sea dragon lives among the timber pylons that support the pier. Flinders has since become a destination for divers from around the world following a documentary by David Attenborough and the BBC filmed at Flinders about 5 years ago http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170112-sea-dragons-in-beautiful-dance

The historic Flinders Pier dates back to 1866 and was once the only access point to our small village on the Mornington Peninsula. The Flinders Community Association wants the pier to be restored after being allowed to fall into disrepair by the Victorian Government. At the end of the meeting, all those in attendance were asked to give a show of hands if they want the Flinders Pier preserved and restored. The overwhelming vote in favour provides a mandate for the FCA to now move forward and help Save the Flinders Pier. An Online Petition has since been set-up to mobilise broader community support across Victoria.

Flinders Pier Presentation for public meeting – May 2021