ST KILDA PIER
JACKA BOULEVARD ST KILDA, PORT PHILLIP CITY
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Statement of Significance
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ST KILDA PIER - History
St Kilda pier was built on the site of an earlier private pier dating from 1853, which was constructed by the St Kilda Pier and Jetty Company, but was destroyed the same year. Plans held at the Queencliff Maritime Centre show the position of the former and current jetty. The original pier in 1855 had stone groyne embankment access way to a smaller timber pile jetty.
From 1857 -58, the stone filling and timber piles and decking was extended, and a wider decking area added to the end of the pier, with diagonal and perpendicular horizontal timber bracing. A "T" shaped boat platform was added to the northern side in 1858 to allow vessel access and had a ramp to the mid section of the pier out past the stone groyne.
The pier was extended again by Turner and Co. in 1873, 1878 and 1880. The St Kilda Yacht Club campaigned in 1874 for a breakwater to improve shelter facilities for its vessels. A breakwater was eventually installed at the end of the 1944 ft long pier by the PWD in 1884.
The pier in 1877 (Victorian Railways) was shown a simple rectangular structure protruding approximately 50m offshore. Sheeting to the parapet asphalting footpaths was added after 1885. The "L" shaped wing pier was extended in 1883, 1887 and 1888, and was shown with a stone groyne extension underneath supporting the piles. Sometime between 1891and 1894 2 L shaped wing piers and a green light had been added at the end and mid section on the northern side. Sometime prior to this time, a rubble wall was added northwards from the stone groyne section of the pier to reclaim land, effectively shortening the seaward length of the pier.
Special walings and moorings posts for excursion steamers were added in 1892/1893, and a shelter shed was also proposed that same year. A boat landing was planned in 1893from the stone section of the pier, and the jetty was again extended around 1894, when another "L" shaped tongue was added using timber piles on a timber framed platform. A parapet was removed and a windbreak installed around 1896.
A platform for the Kiosk Pavillion was added to outer section of the inner "L" shaped platform built on timber piles, and is shown in 1904 as a two story building with an external access stairway and weathervane on the roof. Originally known as Parer's Pavilion, the tea and refreshments rooms were built on the 'L' junction of St. Kilda pier in 1904. The Pavilion follows a building design that was popular in Europe at the time of its construction, and is a unique example of this design in Victoria. During its early years, it often doubled as a meteorological bureau, and has since then played a significant role in the fashionable seaside life of St. Kilda (Hermes Data File).
A Shelter shed and sanitary accommodation was proposed in 1906, along with a small landing on the northern side of the pier. An extension to the inner breakwater arm was undertaken in 1913, which was constructed at an angle to the existing arm.The pier is central in the St Kilda foreshore recreation centre, and was used for promenading, Bay Steamer excursion embarking, fishing, small boat moorings and shelter, and other vessel traffic. The pier was an important landing place in the 19th century for passengers, and was also used to disembark several Royal Parties to enter St Kilda and Melbourne.
ST KILDA PIER - Interpretation of Site
The pier was constructed in a number of phases, beginning with a stone jetty, and was followed by several timber pier extensions. Much of the original pier was replaced by the 1970s and 80s, when the timber decking was replaced with concrete and steel and aluminium hand railing was added.
The pier is central in the St Kilda foreshore recreation centre, and was used for promenading, Bay Steamer excursion embarking, fishing, small boat moorings and shelter, and other vessel traffic. The pier was an important landing place in the 19th century for passengers, and was also used to disembark several Royal Parties to enter St Kilda and Melbourne. The Pier is an integral part of the self image of the city, and is of national significance. The addition of the pavilion demonstrates the changing use of the pier from a passenger embarkation facility towards part of a recreational zone. The pavilion on the end of the pier was registered on the VHR (H1533) and burnt down in 2003. It was rebuilt in 2005 to the original design.
The site has the potential to yield original structures under the current land reclamation of the St Kilda Foreshore Reserve. Archaeological deposits on land and underwater around the pier are also possible. A stone jetty probably exists under the current land reclamation area at the shoreward end.
Heritage Inventory Description
ST KILDA PIER - Heritage Inventory Description
No archaeological evidence was identified although remnants of the pier may exist under the Pavillion structure.
Jetty, pier piles, archaeological relics associated with its former use.
Archeological Potential:
Good
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SHANDONVictorian Heritage Register H0669
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FORMER ST KILDA RAILWAY STATION COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Register H1719
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WATTLE HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0632
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