The Melbourne Park Redevelopment caters for the growing popularity of the Australian Open. The multi-million dollar transformation of this world class sporting precinct will ensure Melbourne Park remains the home of the Australian Open for generations to come.
Redevelopment works place a strong emphasis on the comfort of patrons, with more open space and shade, increased seating capacity, better connections to public transport and the city, and easier movement into and within the Melbourne and Olympic Parks precinct.
The works are improving significant elements of the Melbourne and Olympic Parks sports and entertainment precinct to ensure it remains one of the world’s best facilities. The $366 million Stage 1 of the
redevelopment includes the recently completed Eastern Plaza, which incorporates the Edwin Flack Bridge and the National Tennis Centre. It also includes upgrades to the Western Precinct, incorporating a new design for Margaret Court Arena and minor upgrades to Rod Laver Arena.
Work is also under way to plan for Stage 2 of the redevelopment. Significant improvements to the centre of the Melbourne Park site, including upgrading Rod Laver Arena, further improvement to the public and player areas, a new function centre and a permanent broadcast media compound will be included in this stage.
Eastern Plaza and National Tennis Centre
Located between Hisense Arena and Punt Road, this exciting new public space and tennis training facility comprises:
- eight new indoor tennis courts and 13 new outdoor courts
- warm-up and warm-down facilities for athletes
- an elevated plaza providing new public space and a new eastern entry to Hisense Arena
- a pedestrian bridge over Olympic Boulevard, named after Olympic champion Edwin Flack, completing a direct pedestrian link
between the MCG, Melbourne Park and AAMI Park.
- a new entrance to Melbourne Park on Olympic Boulevard
- multilevel parking for up to 1,000 cars and 28 buses
- an upgraded western entry to Hisense Arena.
Western Precinct
Construction is under way on the Western Precinct component of the redevelopment, located between Rod Laver Arena and Batman Avenue. Works here include:
- the addition of a third operable roofed venue, which will be achieved by enclosing Margaret Court Arena and creating an
indoor concourse area with patron facilities. This will enable Margaret Court Arena to be used for tennis and other indoor
sports and events such as netball, basketball and concerts throughout the year
- the addition of 1,500 seats in Margaret Court Arena
- the extension and refurbishment of the external public concourse around Margaret Court Arena and Rod Laver Arena
- upgrades to the undercroft areas of Margaret Court Arena, which include new player and performer facilities.
Other Works
A number of upgrades and improvements already made to the precinct as part of the Stage 1 works complement the new Eastern Plaza and National Tennis Centre, including:
- a new timber deck adjacent to the Rod Laver Arena western concourse
- landscaping upgrades to the Oval, including a new underground 4.5 megalitre stormwater retention tank
- new entry stairs to Rod Laver Arena
- improvements to the taxi rank on Olympic Boulevard.
Stage 1 of the Melbourne Park Redevelopment is expected to be completed in time for the 2015 Australian Open. Works will be staged to ensure the Australian Open continues to function successfully for the duration of the project.
Videos
Click here for a range of short videos on the Melbourne Park Redevelopment.
Melbourne Park Masterplan (Media Release)
Melbourne Park Redevelopment Presentation by Cox Populous Architects
Melbourne Park Redevelopment Presentation by Major Projects Victoria
Minister Pallas, Casey Dellacqua, Minister Merlino and Geoff Pollard at the turning of the first sod on 1 May 2010.
Pics: Peter Glenane/MPV May 2010