The Pier is open

People have puzzled about the purpose of this structure. It houses two touch screen photographic displays. A very strong theme from the community was that the story of the many facets of the life of the Pier needed to be told. The information is provided very close to the Pier entry to make it easier for passers by to access. Together with the information pillars distributed around the Pier, the story will continue to be told. I think the structure is also likely to be the subject of many a future photograph as it frames amazing views of Webb Dock.

Princes Pier revealed

photos Ron Cassano

Yesterday the Minister for Major Projects, The Honourable Dr Denis Napthine, offered a preview of the re-furbished Princes Pier to invited guests. He said that the Pier will be open to the public next week. These photos give an excellent overview but on ground inspection reveals many more interesting details.

Update on Princes Pier and Pier St

Major Projects Victoria's recent newsletter says that Princes Pier works are on track for completion by the end of 2011. The Gatehouse and getting services out onto the Pier are the focus of activity. The newsletter provides a summary about the drainage works in Pier St.

Princes Pier

Councillors walked out on Princes Pier on Thursday at the invitation of Major Projects Victoria [MPV]. So much space! The forest of piles creates an amazing visual impression. We learned that the Gatehouse had to be carefully lowered as the concrete deck is now lower than it used to be. MPV have updated their website with some spectacular aerial photographs. They will be starting work on laying services to Princes Pier along Pier St this week, and starting work on the long standing drainage and flooding issues in Pier St. Click here to access the update.

The Gatehouse is being restored

I hope you enjoyed this very beautiful day. This picture was taken yesterday when very few people were out and about - unlike today. The gatehouse at Princes Pier is well braced while it is being restored.

Princes Pier: Installation of lights

photos thanks to Ron Cassano

Port Melbourne Waterfront: Princes Pier

Princes Pier has been a recurrent topic on Port Focus but its long term future is still unclear.
When the deck has been re-constructed, when the Gatehouse has been re-furbished - then what? What and how might these spaces be used in a way that adds interest to the Port Melbourne Waterfront?
Now that the restoration work is very visibly proceeding, [see the time lapse sequence on the Major Projects Victoria website] and completion is in sight, this question moves into the foreground.
The study area for the Port Melbourne Waterfront includes the Promenade, Princes Pier, Waterfront Place, Beach St [between Princes and Bay], and the Bay and Beach St intersection
Hope you can make it to the information session on Wednesday evening 9th February from 6.30 pm at Port Melbourne Town Hall.
For your reference, the Port Melbourne project page can be located by clicking here and then following the links.

Princes Pier 2

Exploring that Major Projects Princes Pier website, I came across this site which will follow the Princes Pier project with photos taken from above the site. They give a sense of the scale and scope of the Pier and the works. This is the site for you if you want to keep an eye on the unfolding of the Princes Pier restoration project.

Princes Pier

Major Projects Victoria have recently updated their website to reflect the work currently underway at Princes Pier. You can access the very interesting images and most recent news from here.

Major Projects Victoria are delivering the refurbishment of Princes Pier which includes restoring the concrete deck to 196m seaward of the Gatehouse, and refurbishing the 1934 Gatehouse.

This picture is taken on Sandridge Beach to the west of Princes Pier. The timber wall from east to west records the names of Port Melbourne's historic piers in chronological order from Liardet's jetty onwards. The wall, made from recovered pier timbers, also records the timbers from which the piers were made, and the engineers who designed them.

The deck takes shape

photo Ron Cassano

The Minister, the local member and the mayor

Martin Foley welcomed Minister Pallas and members of the community to Princes Pier today to mark the next stage of the reconstruction of Princes Pier. 

Underneath his high vis jacket the mayor, Cllr o'Connor shows his true - St Kilda - colours.

Princes Pier

photos Ron Cassano

Concrete being poured on Princes Pier.

Princes Pier status report

photos Ron Cassano

These images show the work underway to fulfil conditions of the Permit issued by Heritage Victoria in 2006

• Stage 1: Demoliton of the entire pier deck, and replacement/restoration of the first 196 metres of deck from the foreshore to the gatehouse.
• Stage 2: Restoration and refurbishment of the gatehouse building and security gates

No further commitments have been made at this stage.

State of play at Princes Pier, January 2010

"Princes Pier re-opened to the public today"

tag line and photograph courtesy of Ron Cassano

Princes Pier in September (2)

The work on Princes Pier is difficult and painstaking - see how access to these cross beams is via a dinghy.

Princes Pier

Fantastic news that funding for the Princes Pier restoration project was announced in yesterday's state budget.

The restoration of the gatehouse - previously unfunded - is included.