Public lockout at Albert Park GP precinct set to triple in length
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 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.
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 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.
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