Sandringham Harbour - Local Port Area Plan

The Project

Sandringham Harbour, on Bunurong Sea Country, is one of the iconic yachting and boating destinations within Port Phillip.  To ensure that it continues be a safe and thriving maritime precinct for many more years to come, Parks Victoria is developing a Local Port Area Plan (plan) for the precinct.

Focusing on the on-water elements, the future plan for Sandringham Harbour aims to improve the safety and function of the harbour responding to changing conditions and user needs, and confirm the community’s aspirations for a new Hampton Pier.  The plan defines a safer entrance channel, proposes options for Hampton Pier, provides direction regarding the future of swing moorings and berths within the harbour, and considers the needs of 'off the beach' boating users like the growing number of stand-up paddle board enthusiasts and kayakers.  

This project is part of the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Local Ports Framework and Parks Victoria's local ports forward planning program.  Stakeholder and community input ha been sought at key stages of the development of the plan.   

Local ports play an important role for businesses and local communities.  This future ready plan will help guide Victorian Government investment priorities and provide a more sustainable approach to meeting economic, tourism and community needs.

Project timeline

Background research - harbour user focus group: September 2021 (complete)

Prepare draft plan:  October 2021 to April 2022 (complete)

Community consultation of draft plan: 16 May - 10 June 2022 (complete)

Feedback considered:  11 June to Spring 2022 (complete)

Final plan released:  October 2022 (complete) 

Planning for the rebuild of Hampton Pier: To get underway in 2023

 

Frequently asked questions 

Why is the plan needed?

Hampton Pier has reached the end of its design life and options for its future need to be considered. In addition, the existing eastern entrance channel does not comply with current standards, and coastal processes are impacting on the use and function of the facility. The plan will help guide Victorian Government investment in the renewal of Hampton Pier and other changes within the harbour, providing a more sustainable approach to meeting economic, tourism and community needs.

 

What is happening with Hampton Pier?    

Under the plan, Hampton Pier is proposed to be replaced in the same location as the original 1882 pier. Repair of the current pier is not considered a viable option and is closed for safety reasons. 

The 2022-23 Victorian Budget has an allocation for the upgrade of Hampton Pier. Planning for a new pier has already begun through the local port area planning process, and likely to take around two years to deliver subject to design, approval and construction phasing. A key objective of the planning and consultation process was to determine the community’s desires and requirements for a successful pier facility.

 

Which is the preferred pier design option?

While the plan presents two layout options (A&B) for a new pier, no decision has been made for a preferred option. Through the survey, community aspirations and requirements for a successful pier facility were gathered and will be used to help inform the next stage of pier design to deliver the best outcome for the community within the funding allocation available. The survey did not ask respondents to ‘vote for’ their preferred option.  

 

Who did you consult with to prepare the plan?

Stage 1- Stakeholder / Key User Consultation

In September 2021, Parks Victoria conducted stakeholder focus groups comprising participants who represent the views and interests of key local stakeholders and user groups of the harbour. The participants worked with Parks Victoria to discuss the current value, issues and future vision of Sandringham Harbour.  Early input from this group, along with input from the Traditional Owners through the Bunurong Land Council and Aboriginal Corporation, helped inform the draft plan. View the Stakeholder Focus Groups key findings.

 

Stage 2 – Community Consultation

The most recent stage involved consulting with the community to gather feedback on the draft plan to help inform a final plan.  Altogether, 129 people shared their feedback and ideas through an Engage Victoria survey that ran from 16 May to 10 June 2022.  Five written submissions were also received as part of the process. There was a high number of people who visited the Engage Victoria website (4,220 views by 1,720 people).

 

Who prepared the plan? 
Parks Victoria, as the port manager for the local port of Port Phillip and Committee of Management for Sandringham Harbour, is leading the project.  A project reference group (PRG) comprising representatives from Parks Victoria, Bayside City Council and Department of Transport, was convened to advise on the project.  Experienced industry consultants, AW Maritime Pty Ltd, were appointed to prepare the draft and final plan

 

Document library

Sandringham Harbour Local Port Area Plan

Sandringham Harbour – Map and pier options

Community Consultation Engagement Report

Community Consultation – What we heard one page summary

Stakeholder Focus Groups key findings.

Hampton Pier Background History Report (GML Heritage) 

 

Related news

Parks Victoria is the local port manager for Port Phillip, Western Port and Port Campbell.  The three local ports combined receive approximately 80 million visits a year, and include 263,000 hectares of waterway, marine protected areas, channels, piers and jetties, moorings and aids to navigation.  

Places to visit - Sandringham Harbour