Melbourne Park Development Underway

Construction is underway on the $363 million first stage of the Melbourne Park redevelopment that will secure the future of the Australian Open in Victoria.

Over last weekend, Victorian Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas and Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino were joined by Australian tennis star Casey Dellacqua at Melbourne Park to turn the first sod on the project.

Minister Pallas said redevelopment of the famous tennis facility was the largest Government-funded sporting project in Victoria's history, stating "the (Victorian) Government is taking action to invest in projects such as the Melbourne Park redevelopment that generate thousands of jobs, stimulate the local economy and in this case, secure Grand-Slam tennis for Victoria.

"This project will transform this whole area with new state-of-the-art facilities that will reinforce its position as the worldâs leading sports and entertainment precinct.

"Stage One of the Melbourne Park redevelopment will deliver more than 600 construction jobs on and off site and around $1 billion in flow-on economic benefit to the building industry.

"These first works include the installation of a 4.5 megalitre water tank under the oval beside Rod Laver Arena, an extension of the arena's western concourse, taxi rank improvements on Olympic Boulevard and landscaping works along Batman Avenue.

"Stage One will also upgrade Margaret Court Arena with a new retractable roof and additional seating to increase crowd capacity to 7500, create a new Eastern Plaza with indoor and outdoor courts, refurbish Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena, and create additional parking and a footbridge linking Melbourne Park to AAMI Park."

Tennis Australia President Geoff Pollard said the redevelopment provided a major boost for the tournament and the future of the game in Australia.

Pollard explained "this is another giant step in the continued evolvement and growth of the biggest sporting event in the world in January. Since moving to Melbourne Park the Australian Open has become a more than equal partner with other Grand Slams on any criteria you wish to measure whether it be facilities, attendance, player support, ranking points or prize money.

"The Victorian Governmentâs incredible support means we can maintain this momentum and this event and venue remains the players' favourite."

The complex works will be staged so the Australian Open can continue to function successfully for the duration of the project. Stage One is expected to be finished in 2015.

17th February 2010 - RECORD CROWDS FOR AUSTRALIAN OPEN

27th January 2009 - REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR MELBOURNE PARK