Calls for government, MCC to pay for upkeep of MCG as stadium loses carparking funds

They were enforced to keep fans safe at the footy and major events but restrictions on parking outside the MCG have led to a funding shortfall, and now the government is being asked to pitch in.

Dwindling carparking revenue at the MCG has left a shortfall of funds to maintain lawns, paths, lighting, waste and water management at Yarra Park. Picture: Michael Klein

Dwindling revenue from carparking outside the MCG has left a shortfall of funds used to maintain lawns, paths, lighting, waste and water management at Yarra Park.

The Andrews Government and the Melbourne Cricket Club will be asked to support the upkeep of the park outside the home of Australian sport following a dip in revenue linked to anti-terror security upgrades.

Parking revenue has halved since strict security measures were introduced to combat the threat of vehicle-borne terror attacks.

MCG Trust chair Steve Bracks said parking revenue had fallen from $2.25 million in 2015-16 to a forecast $1.1 million in 2019-20.

The MCG has suffered a dip in revenue which is linked to anti-terror security upgrades at the stadium. Picture: Michael Klein

Mr Bracks said it was “the government’s responsibility” to help the Trust cover the $1.15 million shortfall.

“You would expect they would come to an arrangement over time,” he said.

About 4000 cars were allowed to park outside the MCG three years ago.

Since cars have been locked out of the precinct for AFL blockbusters and major events due to terror fears, the number has fallen to less than 2000.

“The security issue means we have to park further and further away from the stadium and that is part of the new ­security arrangements in place,” Mr Bracks said.

“That means less parking close to the ground, less parking overall, less revenue coming in and the revenue from car parking goes into maintenance of Yarra Park. So clearly we will have to look at additional funding sources, obviously from the MCC and Parks Victoria so we will be having to look at that in the future and we will be putting that proposal to government.”

Sports Minister Martin Pakula. Picture: Getty Images

Sports Minister Martin ­Pakula said the government was yet to make a decision.

“We are working with the MCG Trust and MCC to explore options to increase revenue so Yarra Park can continue to serve as a much-loved asset for the people of Melbourne,” he said.

Mr Bracks said more “activations” in the park was one option to raise revenue ­because “there will be some gap which will be an issue in the future”.

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“The other is to seek from the MCC a contribution and the other one is the government, as they do for every other park in the state,” he said.

“They don’t make a contribution to this one because it does have its own revenue stream but it might be that in the future they have to make some small contribution to it.”

MCC spokeswoman Sophie Henderson said poor weather had also dampened car parking revenue.

“The MCC continues to explore all options to support the park’s maintenance,” she said.

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