St Leonards Pier is an iconic part of our community, but it needs a major rebuild to ensure locals can continue to use it for decades to come.

The State Labor Government has committed up to $20.5 million towards the rebuild of the St Leonards Pier.

If you would like to keep up to date with the progress of the project or be involved by having your say, please fill in your details below.

This will allow me to email you as the community consultation process progresses.

I look forward to working with you and our community to deliver this important project.

UPDATE #5 - December 2024

Parks Victoria have released a fact sheet on what they are doing this summer as they investigate the best design options for the St Leonards Pier rebuild.

The factsheet highlights the heritage and environment factors in the harbour that Parks Victoria are working around to create the best design option for the Pier that also incorporates your community feedback and protects our incredible marine biodiversity and heritage.

I understand how much this project means to the community and I thank everyone for their continued engagement and sharing their feedback on this redevelopment.

You may see Parks Victoria out at the Pier over the summer months conducting further assessments before releasing the pier designs to the community next year.

Parks Victoria’s factsheet and further information regarding the St Leonards Local Port Area Plan Project can be found at www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/melbourne-region/st-leonards-pier-rebuild-and-local-port-area-plan

UPDATE #4 - September 2024

Parks Victoria have released the Consultation Summary Report for the St Leonards Local Port Area Plan. This Report details the response and feedback from nearly 800 community members following the release of the draft Local Port Area Plan in March 2024.

This community consultation and feedback on the St Leonards Local Port Area Plan has been essential in planning for the future of the maritime precinct and pier. The consultation period ran from early March to late April 2024 and was extended by three weeks to everyone in the community could have their say. With community members sharing their thoughts on the draft plan, Parks Victoria now has the information it needs to assess further design options that align with what community said.

Key themes from the feedback include a strong desire to preserve the current character of the pier and support for recreational activities such as walking, swimming, and fishing. Additionally, there were concerns about environmental protection, which will be carefully considered in the next stages of planning.

I understand how much this project means to the community and I thank everyone for their engagement and sharing their feedback on this redevelopment. The voice of the St Leonards, and the wider Bellarine community has been heard and will be taken seriously as it shapes the next steps of this project. Further investigations by Parks Victoria, including assessments of maritime heritage and environmental values, are underway to refine design options that align with community priorities.

More information will be presented in the coming months, and I will continue to keep you updated of the progress.

Further information regarding the St Leonards Local Port Area Plan Project can be found at www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/melbourne-region/st-leonards-pier-rebuild-and-local-port-area-plan

UPDATE #3 – APRIL 2024

Over the last two months, Bellarine locals have been invited to have their say on the draft plans provided by Parks Victoria, to guide the future use and management of the St Leonards Local Port Area.

More than 600 community members have had their say on the future of St Leonards Local Port Area Plan and the St Leonards Pier redevelopment on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Fishers, boaters, walkers, divers, and swimmers all had their say ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing the current and future needs of the area while strive to balance the unique environmental, cultural, and heritage aspects of St Leonards.

I know just how passionate our community is about the future of the St Leonards local port area, which is why I advocated to extend the consultation period to ensure we can get the best result for Bellarine.

St Leonards Pier is not just a pier, it's a gathering point for the local community and for many it comes with cherished memories and time with family and friends. It was great to see so many locals, school kids and regular visitors participate in the survey by Parks Victoria, providing feedback to assist with the development of further plans.

The community feedback provided on the draft plan will help to inform work on further designs from Parks Victoria. Additional consultation and community feedback will ensure the community are informed as the project progresses.

An Engagement Summary Report will be developed from feedback and will be distributed by Parks Victoria to those who have provided their email contact during the consultation process.

Further information regarding the St Leonards Local Port Area Plan Project can be found at https://engage.vic.gov.au/st-leonards-local-port-area-plan-project.

UPDATE #2 - MARCH 2024

The draft plan is now available to be viewed online. You can visit the Engage Victoria's website to view documents that provide all the information about the redevelopment and draft plans.

After viewing the draft plans, Parks Victoria are then asking the community to have their say. By clicking on ‘Start Survey’ you will be able to indicate what is important to you and what you like or dislike about the options for the pier redevelopment.

Some community members have already shared their thoughts with Parks Victoria and myself. I have also provided my own feedback and concerns to Parks Victoria regarding the draft plans. No one is suggesting these draft plans are the final design.

I want this project to be amazing and I want the community to get a new pier they deserve. However, to achieve this, I need your help. I need everyone to give their feedback, and to tell Parks Victoria exactly what you’d like to see in the redevelopment.

In order to do this, I have confirmed with Parks Victoria that the consultation date will be extended to 27 April 2024.

I know people like the pier for different reasons – fishing, walking, snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming, and sitting to watch the sunrise, and we’ll need to balance all these needs.

This is your pier and with as many people as possible providing feedback, we have the best chance at making this a pier that everyone will enjoy.

To find out more visit – www.engage.vic.gov.au/st-leonards-local-port-area-plan-project

UPDATE #1 - November 2023

Parks Victoria are developing a Local Port Area Plan for the future of St Leonards Pier and the adjoining waters. Initial background research and technical investigations are currently underway.

These initial works will help inform the draft plan which will then be released for wider community consultation in Summer 2023-24.

To learn more, you can visit - Parks Victoria - St Leonards Pier