By Hannah Hammoud
New laws would allow the Albert Park Formula 1 precinct to be closed to the public for up to three weeks during race periods, extending the current maximum seven-day lockout.
The proposed changes, to be introduced to parliament by the state government, are part of the Australian Grand Prix Amendment Bill. The new laws would permit a race “declaration period” of between seven and 21 days to accommodate the set-up and dismantling of the race infrastructure.
The Albert Park Formula 1 precinct could face three-week public lockouts under proposed law changes.Credit: Getty
The community will be invited to provide feedback on the plan, which also includes updates to corporate and intellectual property rights, new permissions for non-motorsports events hosted by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, and an increased annual state payment to Parks Victoria for the ongoing maintenance of Albert Park.
“The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix is one of the highest attended races on the Formula 1 calendar,” Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said.
“This consultation will ensure we’re listening to the community as we create a safer and more secure Albert Park.”
The proposed changes come as the scale of the Melbourne Grand Prix continues to grow. The 2025 event broke attendance records, drawing 465,498 spectators over four days – an increase of more than 10,000 from the previous year.
More than 450,000 people attended the Australian Grand Prix in 2025.Credit: AP
In 2023 and 2024, Victorian taxpayers paid $100 million each year to cover the shortfall in revenue which failed to meet the costs of staging the grand prix.
The Australian Financial Review reported in November that Victoria spent almost $700 million over the past decade to keep the event running.
Save Albert Park committee spokesman Peter Logan criticised the proposed changes, and said there was an “enormous” downside to Victoria hosting the grand prix.
“Restricting people’s access to the park … It’s a park, it’s not a motor racing circuit. They’re trying to turn it further and further into a motor racing circuit,” he said.
Logan said preparation for the event was logistically disruptive, and described four months of continuous truck traffic in and out of the park.
“Everything’s bad. There’s no upside to this event, other than the Netflix series,” he said.
“They’ve chosen an inner-city park, a major park, the biggest piece of public open space in the Cty of Port Phillip. We keep throwing money at a loss-making venture, and the losses are greater and greater. There is no financial or economic sense behind it.”
The government says the new 21-day window will allow for safer, more controlled access for workers and reduced risk for park users during construction periods.
Last week trees were cut down to make way for an upgrade to the Albert Park pit lane.Credit: Joe Armao
Corporation chief executive Travis Auld said the extended period was necessary to manage the increasing scale of the event.
“It is important that while occupying the park we do everything possible to keep the community, our fans and everyone in the park safe,” he said.
Speaking on Monday, Minister Ingrid Stitt said the proposed changes would ensure the community’s safety during the “bump in, bump out” process at Albert Park.
“It’s such a massive event that there are times when, for safety reasons, we need to restrict access to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles coming through that area,” she said.
“The community consultation is all about getting the feedback from the local community about these proposed changes.
“I know the community in that particular part of Melbourne will not be backward about coming forward about their views.”
The grand prix’s growing footprint in Albert Park has reignited concerns about environment and public access impacts.
Last week, workers using heavy machinery felled trees around the park’s permanent pit lane building to make way for a $350 million redevelopment of race infrastructure.
In total, 34 mature trees will be removed as part of the upgrade, which includes new garages in pit lane, a race control centre, media facilities and hospitality suites.
While full construction on the new facilities is not scheduled to begin until after the 2026 race, early works are under way. The upgrades follow a 2023 renegotiation of the state’s contract with Formula 1 owner Liberty Media, which secured Melbourne’s hosting rights until 2037.
Public consultation on the proposed legislation is currently open and will close on August 11.
Port Phillip Council has been contacted for comment.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.