The first New Brighton pier was built in a traditional British style in 1894 by a privately owned company. There were penny arcades and even a nightclub to entertain visitors who came on holiday from the city. There it remained for 70 years, until Council ordered its demolition in 1965 due to its deterioration.
The Pier and Foreshore Society, founded by residents to try and save the pier, continued to campaign for a new pier. Thirty years of lobbying and fundraising in the community raised almost $2million which the Council matched dollar for dollar.
The new pier, some might say the finest in the world, is the largest ocean pier in Australisia. It was officially opened in November 1997 on the site of the original New brighton pier.
It enjoyed its tenth anniversay celebrations and the Burwood-Pegasus Community Board commissioned a spectacular permanent installation of red, blue and green lights.
isn't it great what community can do?
ReplyDeleteIt sure is - when a community feels passionate about its home and its heritage and the people in it great things happen
ReplyDelete