Plans progress for Melbourne Park upgrades

A streamlined planning process has been put in place to ensure Melbourne and Olympic Parks remain among the world’s greatest sporting precincts.

Victorian Minister for Planning Matthew Guy has approved an amendment to the Melbourne Planning Scheme to help facilitate the ongoing redevelopment of the iconic sports precinct.

Minister Guy explained “the $338 million in upgrades to the Melbourne and Olympic Parks precinct will make sure this city remains the sporting capital of the world, and will help attract the best sporting, music and cultural events.

“This new planning process will allow for timely works as the redevelopment progresses, through quick and efficient updates to the precinct’s master plan. This will help speed up some exciting upgrades to the precinct as well as upgrades further down the line as plans for a third stage progress. It’s all about ensuring our sporting capital can continue to deliver the major events that we’re renowned for.”

Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation Damian Drum emphasised the positive development will have on grassroots tennis, added "this development not only provides huge economic benefits to the state, it secures the Australian Open long-term which in turn funds community tennis programs and facilities right across Victoria."

Amendment C229 to the Melbourne Planning Scheme will allow more flexibility for the Melbourne and Olympic Park master plan, and clarifies the land where future works are planned.

Minister Guy concluded “the Melbourne Park precinct hosts more than 2.1 million patrons across 200 events each year, delivering over $420 million in economic benefits.”

Stage two works will include:

• A new bridge over Batman Avenue from Birrarung Marr to Melbourne Park leading to a new western entrance for the precinct;

• A major refurbishment of Rod Laver Arena, including a new eastern entrance; and

• A new media and administration centre.

Melbourne City Council, VicRoads and Heritage Victoria will continue to be involved in the master plan approval. 

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13th Janaury 2014 - $338 MILLION FOR NEXT STAGE UPGRADE OF MELBOURNE PARK 

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