More than 15,000 people have signed an online petition urging the Victorian government to save the historic pier and repair its damaged piles, while Sir David vowed to draw attention to its plight.
In a handwritten letter to Mr Reis, Sir David, who sent a BBC crew to Flinders a few years ago to film the weedy sea dragon, wrote: “I am so sorry to hear of the threat to the habitat of the weedy sea dragon on the Mornington Peninsula. I do indeed think that it is a most wonderful creature and if I find an opportunity to draw attention publicly to the changes that now threaten its survival, I will take them.”
The weedy sea dragon feeds off micro-organisms that inhabit coral attached to the pier’s piles.
Mornington Peninsula locals only became aware of Parks Victoria’s plan to demolish the pier in May this year, when the agency contacted Mornington Peninsula Shire to inform it.
The announcement had been buried in a press release on July 21 last year, when Victoria was battling the second wave of coronavirus cases. The state recorded 374 new cases and three deaths on that day.
Ms Horne said removing the section of the pier that had deteriorated would not affect access to the concrete pier, adjoining the timber structure, which was built several years ago.
More than half of the 250-metre timber pier will be demolished because Parks Victoria did not undertake repairs when it was warned five years ago. Credit:Jason South
“We know Flinders Jetty is a much-loved community asset and we are working towards creating a safer and more sustainable facility that can be enjoyed by everyone for many years to come,” she said.
The Flinders Community Association will independently assess the piles to determine whether the pier can be saved from demolition and has urged Parks Victoria to re-examine the condition of the pier, as well as the cost of repairing it.
The locals want Parks Victoria to begin maintenance works, replace the piles and sections of the timber decking that have been left to deteriorate because the agency failed to heed the recommendations of the 2016 report, and restore the pier to good condition.
“All we want is a meeting with the minister and Parks Victoria, but we have been unsuccessful,” Mr Reis said.
Sir David Attenborough sent a BBC crew to Flinders a few years ago to film the weedy sea dragon.Credit:Atlantic Productions
“We’re still keen to meet with them, and all we want the minister to do is ask Parks Victoria, what will it take to save and restore Flinders Pier? If Parks Victoria says it’s going to cost this many millions of dollars, the Mornington Peninsula community will rise up to the occasion and do whatever it needs to do to save the pier.
“Pulling down a pier doesn’t fit with Parks Victoria’s values or guiding principles of providing and maintaining quality infrastructure to support visitation. They talk about healthy ecosystems, but they’re going to cause irreparable damage to the weedy sea dragon.”
Parks Victoria marine and maritime regional director Jo Richards said the planned demolition was about public safety.
“It will allow us to focus on the continual improvement of the section of jetty currently servicing the community rather than maintaining an unsafe section that has reached the end of its life,” she said.
“We are undertaking a detailed process to inform the proposed removal. This involves engineering assessments, independent investigation of the heritage and marine impacts and risk mitigation strategies, community engagement and statutory approvals.”
Local Labor MP Chris Brayne was contacted for comment.
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