Station Pier reopens as council pushes bold plan to revitalise Port Melbourne’s waterfront

Port Melbourne’s Station Pier has officially reopened to the public for the first time in four years, marking a major milestone for one of Victoria’s most recognisable waterfront landmarks.

But attention is already turning to the precinct’s long-term future as the City of Port Phillip steps up advocacy for a comprehensive revitalisation plan.

The reopening, announced by Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne, follows a multi-year maintenance program to restore and future-proof the pier’s heritage structures. The works included the refurbishment of the Gatehouse, strengthening of pylons, and upgrades to electrical systems and corrosion protection, ensuring the pier remains safe and functional for cruise operations and community use.

The pier will now be open to the public on weekends and public holidays during daylight hours, allowing locals, visitors and fishers to return for the first time since 2020.

“These vital works will come as welcome news for Victorians, particularly the community and recreational fishers eager to enjoy what the pier has to offer,” Minister Horne said.

Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor (pictured main) added that the reopening was a step towards “revitalising the broader Beacon Cove precinct,” describing Station Pier as “a great asset for the local community and recreational fishers – attracting locals and tourists to this beautiful part of Victoria.”

However, while the reopening signals progress, the pier’s future remains intertwined with the unresolved fate of Waterfront Place, where development and investment have stalled for years.

The City of Port Phillip has launched a renewed push for government collaboration to deliver a “vibrant, integrated and economically active precinct” that reconnects Station Pier with Port Melbourne and unlocks the area’s full potential.

Cr Heather Cunsolo, who represents Port Melbourne Ward, said the council was determined to see the pier precinct transformed into a true gateway for the city.

Cr Heather Cunsolo. 

“Station Pier is more than just a gateway for cruise passengers – it’s a vital part of our city’s identity and economy,” Cr Cunsolo said. “We’re committed to working with all levels of government and industry to unlock its full potential and create a precinct that truly reflects the spirit of Port Phillip.”

The council’s advocacy program, released in August, outlines a bold vision for the pier’s future. It calls for a master-planned approach that integrates tourism, transport and community infrastructure while reactivating the underutilised freight yard and improving public transport connections, including a proposed duplication of the Route 109 tram line to improve capacity and reliability.

The council says it has been lobbying both state and federal MPs, engaging regularly with Ports Victoria and working closely with local stakeholders such as the Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association and Port Melbourne Business Association. It has also made formal policy submissions to the Port of Melbourne’s draft 2055 Port Development Strategy and contributed to the Victorian Cruise Shipping Strategy, advocating for investment that supports local businesses and enhances community access.

With the Spirit of Tasmania having departed for Geelong in 2022, much of the area around the pier remains quiet outside the cruise season. The council argues this is a missed opportunity for local business and tourism, compounded by poor pedestrian connections and limited transport options that make it difficult for visitors to explore beyond the terminal.

The city’s vision for Station Pier includes new public spaces, improved walking and cycling links to South Melbourne Market and the foreshore, and permanent public access to the pier when it’s not in operation.

Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to hover over neighbouring Waterfront Place, where ownership and planning complications have long hindered progress. The once-promising 1–7 Waterfront Place development, approved by the Minister for Planning in 2021 for a 10-storey mixed-use project, remains dormant despite changing hands last year.

The recent sale of the Mr Hobson restaurant site at 9 Waterfront Place to a local operator – who plans to refurbish it in time for the 2025 summer season – has revived hopes that investment and confidence might be returning to the precinct.

For now, the reopening of Station Pier has given residents reason for optimism, but as Cr Cunsolo noted, lasting change will depend on a coordinated effort between state, local and federal partners.