In 2008, we undertook a review of the Station Pier conservation management plan prepared in 2002 by Heritage Alliance. This brought the Port of Melbourne Corporation’s policy up-to-date, reflecting works undertaken and operational changes made in the intervening period. We then prepared a master plan report designed to forecast future short, medium and long term maintenance and capital works, based on the view that any development should achieve a balance between the heritage and operational needs. The plan guided the subsequent five-year upgrade programme, now also completed under our supervision.

In the preparation of the master plan, we conducted a stakeholder consultation process and combined this with assessments of the factors relevant to the ongoing use of the pier — including providing a short examination of the cruise ship industry, a review of the pier’s physical condition, a summary of the relevant statutory approval requirements and a review of pier operations.

On West Finger Pier, adjacent to the main pier, a reconstructed 1949 Stothert & Pitt crane was installed in 2014 as part of our interpretation plan for Station Pier.