Premier

New Melbourne Park An All-Round Winner For Victoria

08 September 2019

The second stage of the Andrews Labor Government’s near billion-dollar redevelopment of Melbourne Park is complete – giving fans more comfort and convenience in the major events capital of Australia.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula was at Melbourne Park today to formally open the new Northern Annex food and beverage facilities at Rod Laver Arena – which were enjoyed by Fleetwood Mac fans this week.

The new facilities – delivered as part of stage 2 of the $972 million redevelopment of the home of the Australian Open – were made possible through a $338 million investment by the Labor Government.

Australian Open patrons in summer will enjoy the benefits of more shade and air-conditioned spaces.

The Stage 2 works supported around 1,100 full-time jobs and was completed on budget and two months ahead of time – all while more than 1.8 million people attended 180-plus events at the arena.

The massive project has been under way since 2014 and included construction of Tanderrum Bridge to provide a new primary entrance to Melbourne Park and a link to Birrarung Marr, modernisation of Rod Laver Arena’s retractable roof and installation of cushioned seating.

Victorians of all ages and abilities will be able to access and enjoy events at Rod Laver Arena thanks to a new Changing Places accessible facility, ensuring people with high-support needs and their carers have a safe and easy-to-use facility during events.

Ramp access to the Rod Laver Arena seating bowl, a new Disability Discrimination Act-compliant lift and hand rails on all stairs within the venue have been delivered as part of Stage 2 of the redevelopment.

Tennis HQ was also built, providing administration facilities for Melbourne and Olympic Parks and Tennis Australia, as well as temporary media and broadcast facilities for the Australian Open.

Work is well under way on the $271 million third and final stage of the Melbourne Park project, with the old function and media centre demolished earlier this year.

Stage 3 is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2023 Australian Open and will provide a new multi-purpose sunken show court arena plus a function and media centre. The new centre will be named Centrepiece and feature a 1,000-seat function room, pre-event spaces, interview rooms, an auditorium and broadcast studios.

The Melbourne Park redevelopment is one of more than 135 major projects that have set minimum Victorian content requirements through the Labor Government’s Local Jobs First program, supporting 35,000 jobs.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula

“This redevelopment was delivered on budget and ahead of time and will ensure Victoria remains the sports and major events capital of Australia.”

“The improvements to this world-leading precinct will continue to come and are a key reason we have secured the Australian Open in Melbourne until at least 2036.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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