Oh and it helps to know how much things cost... I don't know how it compares to others here... but the steel bit (both pieces) of my pier cost about $450, and the concrete including the 1x1x1m and the 6x3m pad around it cost me about $1100. Not sure how much for just the block sorry, but it was done in 2 pours such that they were seperated, which added significant cost to the project.
Oh and the steel is galvanised. I have never got around to painting it.
Roger.