by Molly Magennis
Safety concerns have forced Seaworks and Parks Victoria to close Williamstown’s Workshop Pier.
Workshop Pier was closed to vehicle access in September, 2020, following the collapse of a section of Boyd Jetty. Commissioners Jetty also stopped operating as a berthing facility at the same time because of “structural issues”.
The three structures are on the Seaworks site at 82 Nelson Place, which has been leased by the state government via Parks Victoria to Seaworks Foundation since 2006.
Late last week, Parks Victoria recommended that Seaworks close Workshop Pier to pedestrians as well. The decision was based on recommendations in a draft engineering report about the safety of the pier.
Seaworks executive officer Glenn Jones said Parks Victoria had recommended the pier be closed until the final report is completed and more information is known about the condition of the pier.
In a statement last September, Mr Jones said Seaworks had identified that the jetty and piers required “significant multi-million dollar investment to enable continued operations as a working maritime precinct”.
He said works required included repairs of piles, crossheads, bearers and decking and replacement of capping and ladders. These piers, ramp and jetties currently provide berthing to commercial operators, private vessels community organisations plus some tourism-related vessels.
The MV Steve Irwin, a number of fishing trawlers and tall ships such as the Young Endeavour are berthed at Workshop Pier at any one time.
Mr Jones said closing the pier was the last thing he wanted to do, as he knows the impact it’s going to have on people who rely on the pier.
