Brisbane City Council begins replacement of historic Shorncliffe Pier

Brisbane City Council is this week beginning replacing the historic 130-year-old Shorncliffe Pier.

Closed to the public since March 2012, when inspections revealed it was in extremely poor condition with its timber substructure significantly affected by marine borers, the historic pier is now set for a $20 million upgrade.

Extending 350 metres into Bramble Bay from the Sandgate/Shorncliffe shoreline, the Shorncliffe Pier opened in 1884 and is Brisbane' longest timber pier.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk promised funds to rebuild the pier in the last Brisbane council elections.

Commenting on the work, Lord Mayor Quirk told The Brisbane Times "the rebuilt pier will be the same width and length as the original 350-metre long structure but it will have a larger rotunda and 'hammerhead' at the end of the pier, to increase the recreation space," he said.

"And it will have timber joints, timber decking, handrails and rotunda to retain the same look and feel as the original pier."

The new pier will be built on concrete and steel piles and is expected to open early in 2015.