Plans revealed for St Kilda Pier facelift

Planning is underway for Melbourne’s popular St Kilda Pier to get a makeover, with Parks Victoria announcing that designs are on display for viewing and feedback.

One of Melbourne’s most popular piers, St Kilda Pier attracts over 800,000 local, national and international visitors annually.

Approaching the end of its practical service life, the plan aims to ensure St Kilda Pier remains an iconic feature of the St Kilda landscape for decades to come.

Architectural firm Jackson Clement Burrows (JCB) and landscape architects Site|Office have developed two designs that explore recreational and commercial boating needs, making the most of bay and city views, improving public amenities, integrating the pier with St Kilda foreshore and protecting wildlife while providing a great space for a range of visitor experiences.

The first option proposes a straight pier that extends past the kiosk, improves open space and adds water accessibility and a swimming lagoon located between the pier and breakwater extension.

The second option is a curved design that increases public space and facilities beside the kiosk, maximises uses of the breakwater extension and provides a sheltered swimming space

Parks Victoria is keen to hear the public’s view on the concept designs and how to make the most of the opportunity to renew St Kilda Pier.

Commenting on the project, Parks Victoria Executive Director Chris Hardman stated “concrete piers and jetties generally last around 50 years depending on their design and the conditions they are exposed to. The current St Kilda Pier is slowly deteriorating as it nears the end of its practical service life and we need to plan for its future.”

“We are in the early stages of planning to replace the current pier which will ensure that it remains an iconic place to visit for decades to come.”

“Community input in the design process for a new St Kilda Pier is an important part of creating the best possible future for one of Melbourne’s most loved icons.”

“Renewing the pier is an exciting opportunity for this generation to write a new chapter that builds upon the unique character and rich cultural history of St Kilda Pier.”

“St Kilda Pier has changed quite a lot since it was first built in the 1850’s. The concept options explore how to make the most of the opportunity of renewing the pier and take into consideration how the pier is used now compared to 50 years ago.”

JCB’s masterplan for the redevelopment of the St Kilda Pier and St Kilda Harbour incorporates the development of new and existing infrastructure for recreation and commercial boating, events and entertainment as well as linkages to the foreshore.

The masterplan’s dual role is to assist in the protection of the cultural, heritage, ecological and functional qualities of the harbour, while accommodating necessary change to make it viable in the future. A key element within the masterplan proposes the reconstruction of the St Kilda Pier, with integrated wave protection devices that create a new public sea-bath within the pier itself.

The new pier accommodates a number of different user groups, from boat repair and storage to ferry terminal with relevant concessions, a storage area below used by the junior yacht club and a rooftop observation deck.

The St Kilda Pier was built in 1971

The two concept options are available for viewing and feedback until 20th October 2017 at www.engage.vic.gov.au/new-st-kilda-pier

Images: JCB’s masterplan for the redevelopment of the St Kilda Pier, showing the swimming space (top) and from the air (below). St Kilda Pier as it is today (middle).

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