Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust emphasises Hisense Arena safety despite combustible cladding

The Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust has emphasised the safety of the Hisense Arena, one of the showpiece courts for next week's Australian Open, in the wake of revelations that combustible cladding is present on its exterior.

The ABC reported that dangerous combustible cladding is present at the 10,000-seat arena after an audit by the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust (MOPT) last year found that up to 20% of the building had suspect materials.

The cladding will be removed as part of refurbishment works early next year.

MOPT Chief Executive Brian Morris said the centre was "completely safe" for tennis fans stating “we've done things like removing any potential ignition points, we've put on extra staff to review areas that could possibly be at risk, we've probably increased our response capability and the MFB (Metropolitan Fire Brigade) will be on board during the Australian Open.”

Morris advised that the Victorian Government had confirmed that the site was safe.

There has been a major focus on cladding after the deadly Grenfell fire in London and a non-lethal fire at the Docklands Lacrosse apartments in Melbourne.

Last November, an interim report from auditors found combustible cladding could be a risk on 1,400 Victorian buildings, with the potentially deadly materials identified on eight hospitals.

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