Western tip works due for August completion

Development Victoria (DV) has told Docklands News that it anticipates works to remove Central Pier’s western tip will be completed this month.

The western tip, which is no longer connected to the main structure of Central Pier, closed permanently in 2017 after it became structurally unsound and inaccessible for years, while the century-old pier, which comprised function spaces, restaurants, and offices, shut down in August 2019 after engineers found it unsafe and “could collapse at any time”.

Specialist marine contractor, Fitzgerald Constructions Australia Pty Ltd, has been using a barge system to dismantle and remove the western tip from the water piece by piece – with the pier’s owner DV confirmed removal works were “progressing well”.

“The removal of western tip is progressing well, and we anticipate works to be completed in the next month,” DV’s group head, precincts Geoff Ward said.

“Where possible, parts of the western tip will be recycled and reused.”

As reported in the May edition of Docklands News, Central Pier is set to get a heritage installation recognising the “original footprint of the pier”, as part of a Heritage Victoria (HV) permit condition on the western tip’s removal.

HV said in issuing a demolition permit for the western tip, which was granted in June 2021, a condition included that “a physical representation of the original footprint of the pier” is to be installed as part of the implementation of an approved Heritage Interpretation Strategy.

“The physical installation must represent the full length of the pier, as built in 1916-17, within the body of water,” a HV spokesperson told Docklands News.

Development Victoria says it has worked closely with HV on the permit process required to remove the tip and will continue to keep the community informed throughout the removal process.

It also added that it was continuing to work on long-term plans for Central Pier – “with safety of the site the number one priority”.  •