Melbourne Park redevelopment to include new stadium, public space and more

A NEW 5000-seat stadium will be built at Melbourne Park as part of a $271 million redevelopment of the city’s world-class tennis and entertainment precinct.

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A $271 million redevelopment of Melbourne’s world-class tennis and entertainment precinct will form a major plank of next month’s state Budget in a boost to Victoria’s sporting heartland.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the Andrews Government will commit to a grand new stage of development at Melbourne Park, home to the Australian Open.

The centrepiece of the tennis plan will be a new 5000-seat sunken stadium near Hisense Arena.

The major redevelopment will be a further boost to the sporting precinct.

The development includes a new stadium and match courts.

Hundreds of jobs will be created by the major project.

The tennis cash splash will be the showpiece of Budget spending in the sports, tourism and events portfolio — to also include $45 million to boost major events and overseas visitors.

A central terrace with a new elevated outdoor public space, function centre, international media headquarters and broadcast studios will also form part of the revamp. Two new match courts will be built.

The project is expected to create 600 jobs. Treasurer Tim Pallas said stage 3 of the development, first revealed in the Herald Sun in November, would build the facilities needed to attract more visitors to Victoria.

It is hoped the Melbourne Park works will attract more blockbuster events.

A central terrace with a new elevated outdoor public space is part of the revamp.

“This project will mean more visitors, more jobs, and even more chances to showcase to the world that Victoria has the best of everything,’’ Mr Pallas said.

Exclusive images of the revamp show the sheer scale of the fan-friendly masterplan. Work is expected to start in 2019 and be finished by 2022.

Tennis Australia and Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said: “The state government is showing its belief the Australian Open is one of the premier sporting and entertainment events.’’

Sports Minister John Eren said confirmation of the new works would help guarantee the Australian Open stayed in Melbourne until at least 2036. A record 728,000 fans poured through the gates of this year’s event.