Seawall repairs at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park

Repairs to the seawall at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park were completed in June 2023.

The project

Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park is one of Victoria’s richest heritage sites, as the state’s first permanent European settlement and seaport. Visitors can explore the maritime history of Timeball Tower, retrace Ned Kelly’s steps along Battery Road, and enjoy the views across the bay.

The seawall at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park was first constructed in the 1850s and later reconstructed. Many years of erosion from wind and waves resulted in significant scouring behind the seawall, and bluestone blocks being dislodged.

Parks Victoria has delivered like-for-like repairs to the seawall, to ensure the wall is preserved and the promenade is accessible for the community to enjoy for years to come.

The repairs were delivered in two sections – section A, which is bound by the car park and extends approximately 110 metres; and section B, which runs along Battery Road and is about 80 metres in length.

Repair works included:

Re-grouting across both sections of the seawall
Removal and replacement of precast concrete capping to section A
Re-installation (where possible) and/or replacement of existing bluestone blocks
Sectional installation of concrete foundation and capping, to provide added structural support

The repairs were guided by environmental and cultural heritage assessments, and geotechnical and structural investigations.

The repairs have been delivered as part of the Victorian Government’s $21 million Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program. The program is upgrading facilities at 21 parks across Melbourne to support the health and wellbeing of local communities and provide more opportunities for people to connect with nature in an urban setting.

The repaired bluestone seawall at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage park runs along the left of the image, with two people walking along the top of it, fenced in by balustrade. To the right of the image is a rocky beach, and the water and city skyline is in the distance.

Pictured above: The seawall has received important repairs, ensuring it is preserved and the promenade is accessible for the community to enjoy for years to come.

Damage to the seawall at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park

Pictured above: BEFORE - damage to the Point Gellibrand seawall.

Pictured above: DURING - Scaffolding in place and works underway, delivering like-for-like repairs to replace the grout and prolong the life of the seawall.

Pictured above: AFTER - section A of the repairs included re-grouting, and the removal and replacement of precast concrete capping blocks.

The promenade at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park, with views across the pay to the Melbourne city skyline.

Pictured above: AFTER - The view from above. Concrete foundation and capping was installed along sections of the seawall, to provide added structural support (Photo credit: James Turley, Duratec Australia).

Project funding

These works are being delivered through the Victorian Government’s $21 million Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program.

Who we worked with

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
Heritage Victoria
Hobsons Bay City Council

Related information

June 2023: Project update: Works complete - a new life for the Point Gellibrand seawall
March 2023: Project update: Upgrades underway for 21 urban parks
November 2022: Project update: Repairs progressing for Point Gellibrand seawall
July 2022: Media release: Coastal park upgrades coming to Melbourne's West
May 2022: Media release: Repairs to rejuvenate Point Gellibrand seawall
September 2021: Media release: Point Gellibrand sea wall one step closer to new life
Urban Parks Active Wellbeing Program
Bay Trail extension at Point Cook
Upgrades at 18 parks
Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park