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Saturday July 31, 2010

What we're talking about

New plans for Melbourne Park

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 19 January, 2010 - 9:35 AM


ABOVE: John Brumby discusses with 3AW's Neil Mitchell the plans for Melbourne Park, which he says should guarantee the long-term future of the Australian Open in Melbourne. If you have trouble playing the above version then hit stop on the media player and try the link below.


REPORT (Robyn Grace): Melbourne Park will get a third weather-proof stadium under a multi-million plan to ensure the Australian Open is retained after 2016.

The $363-million redevelopment, announced this morning by Premier John Brumby, will see a major facelift to the Margaret Court arena, which will include installation of a retractable roof and will boost capacity by 1500 to 7500.

The publicly funded redevelopment will also see improvements to the Rod Laver and Hisense arenas, a new Eastern Plaza with 21 additional courts and a footbridge to the Rectangular Stadium.

"This major redevelopment is the single biggest investment in the precinct since the Australian Open moved to Melbourne Park from Kooyong more than two decades ago and it will ensure Melbourne continues to lead the way as the world’s best sports city," Mr Brumby said.

"The world's best players love coming to Melbourne and our significant investment in Melbourne Park will guarantee the Australian Open remains in Victoria until at least 2036."

Mr Brumby said it was hoped the redevelopment, along with the addition of the Rectangular Stadium, would give Melbourne one of the best sports precincts in the world.

"This secures the Open here for decades to come," he told Radio 3AW.

"It's going to give us the best sports arena for tennis I think arguably anywhere in the world."

Sports Minister James Merlino said the redevelopment would open up opportunities for other sports including netball and basketball, and events like concerts.

Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust chairman Russell Caplan said the redevelopment ‘‘reinforces our position as the world’s premier sporting and entertainment precinct”.

Work on the redevelopment will begin shortly after the Australian Open.

Stage one of the project is due for completion in time for the 2015 Australian Open.

With David Rood

What do you think of the redevelopment? Is it tax-payer money well spent?

Your comments will be read on-air. You can also take the webpoll on the 3AW website home page.

Blog comments Your Say

  • I wonder if the people who object to money being spent on this consider the income tennis generates for our state? I also wonder if they realize that the $360 million works out to be less than $20 per Melburnian per year over the life of the project? Why can't our society have the tennis and hospitals too? Do these same people who critisize pay as little tax as possible then spend that money on unnecessary indulgences? Melbourne could afford any and all development if people valued community wealth as much as personal wealth but too many people feel they need McMansions and 4 wheel drive gas guzzlers but oppose $20 per year towards a better tennis centre. 

    Alan Sunday 24 January, 2010 - 3:45 PM

  • I think the majority of Melburnians would prefer the $350+ M spent on transport and other more pressing matters.
    Quote: Sports Minister James Merlino said the redevelopment would open up opportunities for other sports including netball and basketball, and events like concerts.
    Funny... I thought Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arean already host netball, basketball and concerts. What a waste of public money.
    By the way, I am a huge tennis fan and lover of sports. I just care a lot more about our real needs as a citizen of this wonderful city.

    Richard Tuesday 19 January, 2010 - 9:33 PM

  • 'Spin Doctor John'!
    Get used to that name and title!
    A facelift for Melbourne Park...? What an unnecessary and unviable 'CON', from our half-witted, half-pint and not worth 'two bob'; 'Spin Doctor John'!
    When Ted Baillieu announced he would scrap suspended sentences and build more jails to accommodate the crims that are running rampant in our state. Premier Brumby said; "If he had a spare $100 million, he would rather put the money into schools, hospitals and police before he put it into building new jails"!
    Now we hear he has $363 million at his disposal and is forking it out for renovations to the tennis centre and its surrounds...???
    'Spin Doctor John'; your name and apt title reins true. Come election time on 27 November, the people of Victoria are going to send you a clear and straight forward message; 'SCREW YOU'...!!!

    Gerard Tuesday 19 January, 2010 - 8:11 PM

  • Well Well Melbourne must really be the place to be?

    col Tuesday 19 January, 2010 - 6:03 PM

  • Betchai, yeah my bro is such a tennis enthusiast, hehehe - tennis-playing is one of his favorite past times. Wow, nice of you to have seen those tennis stars in person and you got pics of them as well. Maybe you can also post about the tournament in your blog. ;) Like you, Australia is one of my dream destinations.

    broadband Tuesday 19 January, 2010 - 4:21 PM

  • looks a great deveoplment. just states melbourne is the sporting capital

    craig Tuesday 19 January, 2010 - 10:18 AM

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