The Pillars, Mount Martha

Visitor information:

  • Fragile rock formations – standing or sitting on the rock or cliff edges poses a very high safety risk. Entering the site is discouraged.
  • This Pillars has no formal infrastructure and is not suited to large numbers of visitors. There are no toilets or other amenities.
  • The Pillars is located in a residential area with no parking facilities. Please be respectful to those who live here.
  • Be aware of road safety. The Esplanade is a busy arterial road with many bends and turns.
  • Phone reception is limited. In an emergency, ring 000.
The foreshore area including The Pillars is coastal Crown land owned by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), with Mornington Peninsula Shire having routine maintenance responsibilities as the delegated Committee of Management.

The Pillars also has significant cultural heritage and natural environmental value. Protecting and enhancing these values is vital and a legislative requirement.

Shire officers and Council continue to work with the community, State government, Victoria Police, Country Fire Authority, Parks Victoria, Life Saving Victoria, Bunurong Land Council and other stakeholders to implement short and long term management actions as per the Council adopted Long Term Management Plan.

Track closures, revegetation and updated signage are among recent measures taken by the Shire to reduce erosion and warn visitors of cliff instability at The Pillars, Mount Martha. The efficacy of these measures will be monitored and management options reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Nearby streets will be patrolled regularly to monitor illegal parking and issue infringements where appropriate. Litter collection will be undertaken in nearby streets and Shire bins emptied daily during peak season.

The site will be monitored by Shire officers and agency stakeholders to evaluate visitor numbers and associated activity.

Please report parking and maintenance issues via the Snap, Send, Solve app or the Shire's Customer Service Team

Email: customerservice@mornpen.vic.gov.au 
Phone: 1300 850 600

Illegal and antisocial behaviour should be reported to the police.

Mornington Peninsula Shire’s The Pillars Mount Martha Long Term Management Plan was developed in consultation with DELWP, Parks Victoria, Bunurong Land Council, Victoria Police, VicRoads, Ambulance Victoria, Mt Martha CFA, Mt Martha LSC, Life Saving Victoria and the community.   It focuses on the long-term management of The Pillars and identifies options and actions to manage visitation at the site, and to protect the culture and environmental values.

Learn more about: The Pillars Mount Martha Long Term Management Plan.

Visitors to The Pillars have been a cause for concern for many nearby residents in recent years. Part of this issue refers to parking in residential streets and anti-social behaviour.

In August 2021, we asked nearby residents to consider three options to discourage people from parking their vehicles in nearby residential streets. The three options were:

  1. No change
  2. No parking for anyone
  3. No parking unless you have a permit.

Option three was the preferred alternative for most respondents. Council considered the community’s feedback at the Council Meeting on 19 October and resolved to trial a permit zone.

The permit zone has been well received and is now in place ongoing.

Cars parked in the new permit zones without permits or otherwise illegally parked will be in breach of the Road Rules and penalties will apply (fines up to $182). Shire officers and police will be patrolling the area up to three times per day.

More information

For more information please contact:

 

Laura Crilly
Team Leader Water and Coasts
Mornington Peninsula Shire
1300 850 600

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