EFFORTS to save an historic section of Flinders pier have been reinforced with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council voting unanimously to back its retention.
The decision adds impetus to the efforts of the Flinders Community Association to have the 180-metre long timber section added to the Victorian Heritage Register (“Heritage bid adds time for ageing pier” The News 7/9/21).
It also acknowledges the backing of environment “royalty” Sir David Attenborough who stepped in to bat for the pier as a way of protecting the habitat of the weedy seadragon (“Attenborough supports Flinders pier” The News 12/7/21).
The Save Flinders Pier group’s Charles Reis said the council vote was an important development in efforts to have Parks Victoria reconsider its plans to demolish the pier.
The council voted to support the inclusion of the Flinders historic foreshore precinct into the Victorian Heritage Register and write to support the Heritage Council, and back the application for an interim protection order to protect the precinct until a decision is made by the Heritage Council.
The council will write to the ministers of Ports and Freight, Environment and Planning, stating the community and the council’s opposition to the proposed demolition of the inner Flinders pier and request the use of available finance to maintain and preserve the pier.
First published in the Western Port News – 22 September 2021
