AFL's Melbourne Demons investigate move to Caulfield Racecourse

The Melbourne Football Club (MFC) has announced a feasibility study to identify a location for the AFL club’s long term homebase at a redeveloped Caulfield Racecourse.

First announced in 2019, the $570 million redevelopment for the racecourse would see its in-field, which is Crown land and about 10 times the size of the MCG, opened up as a community precinct, to be known as the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve.

This study will focus on the community benefits of the Demons building their high-performance home base within at Caulfield Racecourse, while at the same time enhancing the experience of individuals and sporting Clubs within the Glen Eira area.

The study will be a partnership between the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust (CRRT), the MFC and local community stakeholders.

As the key existing tenant of the Racecourse Reserve, the Melbourne Racing Club will be involved throughout the entire feasibility study to ensure that MRC members facilities and services are enhanced by any new initiatives within the reserve.

Advising that the investigation is a huge step forward with the potential to change the Club for the next 50 years, MFC President, Kate Roffey stated “we need to provide our players, coaches and football staff with high-performance facilities that allow them to prepare and perform within the most demanding sporting competition in Australia.

“I am excited about the possibility that for the first time in 30 years, Melbourne members and supporters will have the opportunity to connect with players, coaches and Club leaders at a centrally located Melbourne Football Club home base.

“This feasibility study would not have happened without the support of CRRT and I thank them for their commitment to this project.”

Located 10 kilometre south-east of Melbourne CBD, the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve features approximately 54 hectares of open space and facilities. This area currently includes two horse racing tracks, two wetlands and the large expanses inside the racecourse.

Glen Eira currently has the least amount of open space per person in metropolitan Melbourne.

In response to the Melbourne FC announcement, Glen Eira City Council Mayor, Anne-Marie Cade advised “we recognise a move by Melbourne Football Club to Caulfield Racecourse Reserve has the potential to increase and accelerate investment in sporting infrastructure in the area.

“However, we also know that investment from elite sporting clubs has been known to reduce community access in other locations.

“The Caulfield Racecourse Reserve is Crown land in the heart of the Caulfield Activity Centre. It has long been identified as a missed opportunity for broad community use.

“Any investment by Melbourne FC would need to be balanced with continued access to the Reserve by the broader community, including local sporting clubs, other levels of football, and protected areas for local plants and biodiversity.

“We look forward to working with Sport and Recreation Victoria and the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust to ensure that community use and environmental outcomes feature prominently in the future of the Reserve and are given due consideration in Melbourne Football Club’s feasibility study.”

Previous reports have indicated that a redevelopment of Caulfield Racecourse would only proceed if Sandown Racecourse was rezoned and sold to make way for a large-scale housing development.

The Melbourne Football Club's headquarters are currently split between the MCG and AAMI Park, while its training is split between Gosch's Paddock and Casey Fields.

Images: Artist’s impression of the proposed Caulfield Racecourse redevelopment (top) and the track from the air (below).