Docklands pier to be shut for at least a month

Event organisers are scrambling to find new venues as businesses at Docklands' Central Pier are being forced to shut their doors for at least a month after the area was abruptly evacuated on Wednesday night.

Hundreds of people were told to leave venues late on Wednesday after engineers advised Development Victoria that the pier needed to be closed as it had rapidly deteriorated and was unsafe for use.

On Thursday morning, the area was abandoned as security guards and fences lined the site to block people from entering.

A spokesman for Development Victoria, which is responsible for Central Pier, said the government had been working for more than two years to monitor and repair the pier, but efforts to stabilise it had been unsuccessful.

“Engineers have been inspecting the pier every two months since November 2018 and had previously provided certification that supported the ongoing occupation of the pier," said spokesman Geoff Ward.

“However, given the notice received from the engineers ... there was no alternative but to require the pier be vacated in order to preserve public safety.”

The pier, which was built in 1916, is one of the oldest marine structures in the southern hemisphere and the condition has been deteriorating for some time, a Development Victoria spokesman said.

Engineers are set to examine the pier on Thursday as venues work to advise customers with pre-existing bookings they must find another location.

Upcoming events, including Friday's NAB AFL Rising Star awards, which had asked guests to arrive by noon, have been forced to find last-minute replacement venues.

The Deakin Commerce Society had to make a last minute change to their annual ball, posting an emergency message to Facebook about 8pm Wednesday night.

"This is completely out of our hands and we have no control over this situation. We are very very sorry for the inconvenience and we are just as confused and frustrated as you all are," the society posted on Facebook.

One man, named as Bob, said his wedding was booked at the pier for this Saturday.

"It was a rude shock when I was told I have to find another venue. The venue rang us last night, informed us of the scenario," he told 3AW. "They have actually been very helpful."

A Development Victoria spokesman said they would be working closely with businesses to provide support in the interim period but a timeline on when the pier may be functional is unclear.

He could not comment on how much the works were expected to cost the state government.

VicUrban, Development Victoria's predecessor, warned Melbourne City Council in 2011 some of the wharves in the Docklands precinct were in such poor shape they should not host public events.

Central Pier has since undergone stabilisation work, with the third phase of a two-year project launched early this year.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said the state government was aware of issues around the structural stability of the Docklands wharf.

"The Docklands wharf facility has been the subject of constant engineering scrutiny. Development Victoria has been analysing it for some time... we've known it requires upgrades and there has been work going on," Mr Pallas said.

He supported Development Victoria's decision to shut the pier.

Food, drink and function venues forced to close along Central Pier include:

• Woolshed
• Alumbra
• Sketch
• Sumac
• Peninsula