- Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events
Workers employed on one of Melbourne’s biggest construction projects this week made way for a Grand Slam bump-in as an inspired doubles partnership continues to deliver results for Victoria.
Labor’s $972 million redevelopment of Melbourne Park began in 2010 and has continued without the Australian Open missing a beat.
The reimagining of Melbourne Park has enabled the Andrews Labor Government to lock in the Open until at least 2036, securing an annual tourism bonanza for the state.
At the same time, more than 2,300 jobs will have been created by the time the Melbourne Park works are completed, making it a model example of the Government’s push to use local skills and materials in major projects.
Since December 2014, the Labor Government has set local content requirements under the Local Jobs First program for 150 Strategic Projects worth more than $85 billion, supporting 35,000 local jobs.
Melbourne Park, Fishermans Bend Secondary School, Bendigo Law Courts, Monash Medical Centre and the State Basketball Centre redevelopment in Wantirna are just some of the projects that are backing local workers.
A hoarding featuring an image of reigning men’s Open champion Novak Djokovic has been erected at Melbourne Park this week, concealing from view progress that has been made in the $271.5 million third and final stage of the redevelopment, which is due to be completed in time for the 2023 Australian Open.
The third stage will support 600 full-time jobs alone and incorporates a new multi-purpose show court arena, a function and media centre, two new match courts plus a central logistics hub. Work is well under way with steel already going up on the third level of the function and media centre.
Under Local Jobs First, at least 90 per cent local skills and materials are being used at Melbourne Park.
And 10 per cent of all hours worked must be allocated to apprentices, cadets or trainees.
The 2019 Australian Open attracted a record attendance of just under 800,000 with 55 per cent of Australian patrons coming from outside Melbourne and 14 per cent from overseas. The 2020 Open starts on January 20.
As stated by Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula
“Through Local Jobs First, we’re harnessing our record infrastructure investment to create more jobs and opportunities for Victorian workers and businesses.”
“The redevelopment of Melbourne Park will make sure that it remains on the very top rung of sporting and entertainment precincts around the world.”
As noted by apprentice carpenter Sam Fallon
“Working with Lendlease as an apprentice at Melbourne Park has provided me with an amazing opportunity to learn my trade. Being part of such a busy precinct is really exciting.”
