portarlington jetty

Maritime Archaeology Field School ARCH 8103Personal Project: Presentation of Portarlington

JettyKenny Keeping

Maritime Archaeology Field School ARCH 8103Personal Project: Presentation of Portarlington

JettyKenny Keeping

Portarlington JettyPortarlington Jetty

Past, Present and Future:

Pier evolution and landscape change

Past, Present and Future:

Pier evolution and landscape change

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

February of 1802, the first exploration of of the Bellarine Peninsula was done by James Murray, but his route was limited to Swan Bay.

In April of the same year Mathew Flinders undertook an expedition that would prove to be more thorough.

Flinders followed the coast to present day Portarlington,reporting that the land would be suitable for cattle raising.

This lead to further endeavors to determine the capability of the landscape.

February of 1802, the first exploration of of the Bellarine Peninsula was done by James Murray, but his route was limited to Swan Bay.

In April of the same year Mathew Flinders undertook an expedition that would prove to be more thorough.

Flinders followed the coast to present day Portarlington,reporting that the land would be suitable for cattle raising.

This lead to further endeavors to determine the capability of the landscape.


In 1803 New South Wales Surveyor General, Charles Grimes, returned with an exploration party. James Flemming lead a group inland to determine the landscape.

The land would remain unoccupied by Europeans until the early 1830’s when a pastoral occupation of the the Port Phillip District would be established.

By the 1840’s multiple pastoral runs were established on the Bellarine Peninsula.

In the Portarlington area Henry Browne along with Thomas Sproat , established cattle runs along with a cattle shipping service with a station at Point Richards.

In 1803 New South Wales Surveyor General, Charles Grimes, returned with an exploration party. James Flemming lead a group inland to determine the landscape.

The land would remain unoccupied by Europeans until the early 1830’s when a pastoral occupation of the the Port Phillip District would be established.

By the 1840’s multiple pastoral runs were established on the Bellarine Peninsula.

In the Portarlington area Henry Browne along with Thomas Sproat , established cattle runs along with a cattle shipping service with a station at Point Richards.


In 1848 pastoralists had the chance to purchase pre-emptive rights leases.

This allowed for the taking up of huge areas of land such as 7,089 acres by a single individual.

In the town area allotments were made up of 5-20 acres that were sold in the 1860’s.

In 1848 pastoralists had the chance to purchase pre-emptive rights leases.

This allowed for the taking up of huge areas of land such as 7,089 acres by a single individual.

In the town area allotments were made up of 5-20 acres that were sold in the 1860’s.


In 1857 the Portarlington Flour Mill opened and encouraged the increasing population of the community.

By 1865 the town had 200 inhabitants, and multiple commercial establishments such as brick and tile works, as well as hotels.

In the 1860’s the town had a school and multiple churches with a variety of religions.

In 1857 the Portarlington Flour Mill opened and encouraged the increasing population of the community.

By 1865 the town had 200 inhabitants, and multiple commercial establishments such as brick and tile works, as well as hotels.

In the 1860’s the town had a school and multiple churches with a variety of religions. Flour Mill

PastPast

The Jetty at Portarlington was first constructed due to lobbying from the Indented Head Farmers Union in 1859.

It facilitated the need of easily accessing the means to transport both produce and people to the city of Melbourne, and other areas around the Bellarine district.

The produce was comprised of peas, potatoes, onions, and hay.

The Jetty at Portarlington was first constructed due to lobbying from the Indented Head Farmers Union in 1859.

It facilitated the need of easily accessing the means to transport both produce and people to the city of Melbourne, and other areas around the Bellarine district.

The produce was comprised of peas, potatoes, onions, and hay.

PastPast

The original Jetty was 200ft, but had the issue of being in shallow water and therefore limiting the vessels that could make berth. This is a reason that would start the first of many modifications to come.

In 1870 an extension was made that would allow a wide variety of vessels to make port.

Now in addition to the usual sea traffic the jetty could provide enough space for nine alternative craft.

The new modifications brought increased use of the jetty along with extensive wear.

In 1873 the entire structure had to be rebuilt, and extensions added in 1877.

The original Jetty was 200ft, but had the issue of being in shallow water and therefore limiting the vessels that could make berth. This is a reason that would start the first of many modifications to come.

In 1870 an extension was made that would allow a wide variety of vessels to make port.

Now in addition to the usual sea traffic the jetty could provide enough space for nine alternative craft.

The new modifications brought increased use of the jetty along with extensive wear.

In 1873 the entire structure had to be rebuilt, and extensions added in 1877.

PastPast

Along with catering to the community’s agriculture transport requirements, the vessels were bringing large amounts tourists to the area. This would start to transform the landscape further.

With such a large increase in the visitors to the area the community was forced to supply their needs.

Along with catering to the community’s agriculture transport requirements, the vessels were bringing large amounts tourists to the area. This would start to transform the landscape further.

With such a large increase in the visitors to the area the community was forced to supply their needs.

PastPast

This brought upon the creation of a bathing house in 1878 by Trevena and Grubby.

It was located to the east of the current Jetty and well sheltered with rocks on either side.

This supplied a safe recreational area for all in the community.

This brought upon the creation of a bathing house in 1878 by Trevena and Grubby.

It was located to the east of the current Jetty and well sheltered with rocks on either side.

This supplied a safe recreational area for all in the community.

PastPast

The remainder of the 19th century brought about more changes to the Jetty.

In 1878 a weigh bridge was created in front of the Jetty for more efficient measuring of cargo, and in 1883 another extension was created that added 100ft and an “L” shaped portion that provided protection for small craft.

In addition to these changes, a rail line was also put in place for loading and unloading of cargo

The remainder of the 19th century brought about more changes to the Jetty.

In 1878 a weigh bridge was created in front of the Jetty for more efficient measuring of cargo, and in 1883 another extension was created that added 100ft and an “L” shaped portion that provided protection for small craft.

In addition to these changes, a rail line was also put in place for loading and unloading of cargo

PastPast

The late1890’s saw Portarlington becoming a large vacation destination for people in the area, and the community choose to respond.

Dredging during the 1900s was done to allow large passenger vessels to access the port, and increase the number of visitors to the community.

Ferries and transport ships would make multiple passages daily to Portarlington.

This began to further change the landscape. It would not be long before people started to fill the parks

and recreational areas. Eventually camping in the area became a popular past time for visitors.

The late1890’s saw Portarlington becoming a large vacation destination for people in the area, and the community choose to respond.

Dredging during the 1900s was done to allow large passenger vessels to access the port, and increase the number of visitors to the community.

Ferries and transport ships would make multiple passages daily to Portarlington.

This began to further change the landscape. It would not be long before people started to fill the parks

and recreational areas. Eventually camping in the area became a popular past time for visitors.

Steamers Berthing at Jetty

Camping at Portarlington

PastPast

By the middle of the 20th century transport of produce had ceased and was no longer being sustained by produce traffic.

1948 the land around the pier was transferred from the Geelong Trust to the Ports and Harbour Branch of the Public Works department.They had planned to invest £20,000 into the new Jetty for the interest of commercial fishermen.

£6,000 was invested the first year, however after suffering storm damage in 1950 the construction stopped.

By the middle of the 20th century transport of produce had ceased and was no longer being sustained by produce traffic.

1948 the land around the pier was transferred from the Geelong Trust to the Ports and Harbour Branch of the Public Works department.They had planned to invest £20,000 into the new Jetty for the interest of commercial fishermen.

£6,000 was invested the first year, however after suffering storm damage in 1950 the construction stopped.

PresentPresent

It would not be until 1977 that the condition of the Jetty would be addressed once more.

This consisted of installing new piles along with an entirely new concrete top structure.

Shortly after this renovation it was found that sand was disappearing from around the front and base of the Jetty.

Realizing the need for prevention, a “groyne” was created in 1980 and sand was pumped in from Point Richards.

Under the new Public Works the camping area was also changed into a parking lot for visitors coming to the beach area.

It would not be until 1977 that the condition of the Jetty would be addressed once more.

This consisted of installing new piles along with an entirely new concrete top structure.

Shortly after this renovation it was found that sand was disappearing from around the front and base of the Jetty.

Realizing the need for prevention, a “groyne” was created in 1980 and sand was pumped in from Point Richards.

Under the new Public Works the camping area was also changed into a parking lot for visitors coming to the beach area.

Parallel view of Jetty and groyne

Profile view of groyne

View looking east over the parking lot

PresentPresent

Since removing the large amount of sand from Point Richards erosion has become a problem.

Approximately 100-200ft of beach has been deteriorated 10ft.

This has resulted in excessive and costly damages.

Since removing the large amount of sand from Point Richards erosion has become a problem.

Approximately 100-200ft of beach has been deteriorated 10ft.

This has resulted in excessive and costly damages.

PresentPresent

Despite the constant updating, the pier continues to require continuing maintenance.

Rough weather and constant use have left the jetty in a weathered state, and without constant updating will dilapidate in a limited amount of time.

Despite the constant updating, the pier continues to require continuing maintenance.

Rough weather and constant use have left the jetty in a weathered state, and without constant updating will dilapidate in a limited amount of time. View showing the structural damage to the

pier

FutureFuture

Portarlington is associated with the rest of the Bellarine Peninsula through economics and commerce now as it was in its initial development and exploration.

With the increasing size of the aquaculture industry in the Port Phillip area facilities are required to support it. Since current commercial mussel farms use the Portarlington Jetty it is likely that it will be utilized.

However due to the current layout and structure, it can only provide for a limited number of vessels and the entire Jetty can not be utilized in all types of weather.

Portarlington is associated with the rest of the Bellarine Peninsula through economics and commerce now as it was in its initial development and exploration.

With the increasing size of the aquaculture industry in the Port Phillip area facilities are required to support it. Since current commercial mussel farms use the Portarlington Jetty it is likely that it will be utilized.

However due to the current layout and structure, it can only provide for a limited number of vessels and the entire Jetty can not be utilized in all types of weather.

FutureFuture

The plans for the future are to redo the entire structure as well as create new additions to allow for full use of the area.

The breakwater will be extended in both directions, a new wharf will be installed to the east, as well as a new pier just to the east of the current jetty.

This will create a well protected area that is less likely to suffer less damage in storms as well as allowing full use in all types of weather.

The plans for the future are to redo the entire structure as well as create new additions to allow for full use of the area.

The breakwater will be extended in both directions, a new wharf will be installed to the east, as well as a new pier just to the east of the current jetty.

This will create a well protected area that is less likely to suffer less damage in storms as well as allowing full use in all types of weather.

Future plans for jetty renovation

ReferencesReferences

Maunsell Australia Pty Lt d 2007, Portarlington Safe Harbour Coastal Processes Investigation, Water Technology Pty Ltd, Victoria

EDAW 2007, Bellarine Peninsula Safe Harbour Baseline Assessment Study of Landscape Values Final Report, Water Technology Pty Ltd, Victoria

Maunsell Australia Pty Lt d 2007, Portarlington Safe Harbour Coastal Processes Investigation, Water Technology Pty Ltd, Victoria

EDAW 2007, Bellarine Peninsula Safe Harbour Baseline Assessment Study of Landscape Values Final Report, Water Technology Pty Ltd, Victoria

portarlington jetty

Documents