Central Pier was crucial infrastructure at the epicentre of this Docklands maritime heritage story. Victoria Dock itself was designed to greatly expand available wharf space at the riverport of the Birrarung/Yarra which was at-capacity, blocked by a series of low railway/vehicular bridges spanning the river. To satisfy the unmet demand for wharves which were necessary to sustain Victoria’s extraordinary prosperity, Melbourne Harbour Trust ambitiously invested in a downstream river project. Between 1887 and 1892, British engineer Sir John Coode, assisted by local engineer Melbourne Harbour Trust engineer Joseph Brady, designed and constructed Victoria Dock, a vast 37.6-hectare port by excavating West Melbourne. When Victoria Dock opened it was the 2nd largest single dock in the world.

Yet Victoria Dock’s 21 berths proved to be insufficient to meet demand. Arriving or departing cargo vessels simply could not waste time waiting for wharf space. Demand for more wharf space to accommodate ever larger ships; demand for ever-greater efficiencies in cargo-handling, demand for faster vessel turn-around in and out of port, did not abate. To address this relentless ‘problem’ of maritime trade success in the new port, between 1916-19 Central Pier was constructed to create more available berths. When complete it was 497 metres long with six berths [#s 9 to 14], each with a shed, and a roadway with a rail track through the middle. The need for the pier was real – the first two berths were put to work even before the last two were complete.

Early in 2020 concerns regarding the public safety of the pier structure prompted Heritage Victoria to issue a permit allow the demolition the last third of Central Pier remaining in use conditional upon its immense heritage significance being referenced or restored at the site. Regrettably two other sections of the pier were demolished in the years before the pier was awarded heritage protection. This demolition was completed in 2024 and under permits issued by Heritage Victoria, materials salvaged from Central Pier and Sheds 9 and 14, were documented and securely stored for future re-use.

Post-demolition, Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network is advocating for the installation of a floating pier to replace Central Pier as a focus for public education and engagement to showcase the significance of maritime trade in Victoria Harbour, as well as the crucial importance of the Blue Economy in the future of Victoria.

FURTHER READING

• Andrew C Ward and Associate et al, ‘Docklands Heritage Study’, September 1991
• Lovell Chen with MacLeod Consulting Pty Ltd, ‘Victoria Harbour – Conservation Management Plan’, 2012
• MMHN Website : https://mmhn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MMHN-Opportunity-1-Maritime-Experience-Centre-Central-Pier.pdf

IMAGE CREDIT
Victoria Dock 1950s, Central Pier in the centre of photograph, Public Record Office Victoria