MCC and MCG Trust to secure management of Yarra Park

Sep 03, 2009

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is pleased to announce that agreement has been reached on some significant developments concerning the future of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the surrounding Yarra Park precinct.

The MCC, MCG Trust, AFL and State Government Victoria have reached an agreement that will result in:

1. The licence agreement between the MCC and the AFL being extended by five years, ensuring football and the AFL Grand Final remains at the MCG until at least 2037.

2. AFL clubs playing home games at the MCG receiving at least an additional $4.6 million a year – or $100,000 a game – for the next 10 years from MCG revenues.

3. The management of Yarra Park transferring to the MCG Trust, who in turn will delegate operational management to the MCC, with a key water project and landscaping project to secure the future of the trees in the park and preservation of existing car parking entitlements.

4. The Victorian Government delivering a capped contribution of $30 million towards a major refurbishment of the AFL Members Reserve in the Great Southern Stand and $6 million towards the water-saving project in Yarra Park.

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YARRA PARK

View the Yarra Park fact sheet

The MCC has developed a Yarra Park Draft Masterplan to greatly improve the parkland and protect the gardens from the effects of the drought. 

Under the agreement reached today, management of the parkland will become the day-to-day responsibility of the MCC.

The MCC has agreed to invest $16m in Yarra Park to undertake the water recycling project and the implementation of the Yarra Park Draft Masterplan.

The Draft Masterplan will see the addition of new avenues of trees, selected tree planting, mulching on avenues, significant tree protection measures introduced, lawn upgrades, improvements to the playground, additional garden beds established and new pedestrian paths.

Yarra Park Improvement Plan - September 2009 newsletter

Anne Barker, managing director, City West Water, said she was pleased to be able to support the innovative water saving initiative at one of Melbourne’s major landmarks.

“This is a great outcome for the community – it provides certainty of water supply for the MCG and Yarra Park precinct, and replaces millions of litres of drinking water every year.  We congratulate the MCC and the state government on the initiative,” Ms Barker said.

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AFL AT THE MCG

The new arrangement for home games at the MCG also includes an attendance incentive arrangement marked at $1.50 per head for attendances between 2.1 million and 2.5 million patrons; $2 per head for attendances between 2.5 million and three million patrons; and $3 per head for attendances in excess of three million patrons. 

Based on 2008 attendances, this payment would have been an additional $1.2m to the AFL and its clubs. 

The MCC believes the offer to the AFL and the AFL clubs is fair and reasonable given the size of the debt to be serviced, the costs of running the stadium and the inherent risks involved. The new agreement is also a great result for MCC members.

View the MCC-AFL User Agreement fact sheet

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GREAT SOUTHERN STAND REFURBISHMENT

The Victorian Government has committed $30 million for a redevelopment of the Great Southern Stand and a detailed scoping study by the MCC will begin before the end of the year.

The scoping works will investigate how best to revitalise some of the entry points to the ground including a more streamlined ticketing area as well as upgrades to food and beverage areas and basement floor food courts.

It will also look into replacement and upgrades to seating, public concourses and amenities a refurbishment of function and dining rooms for greater patron comfort.

View the Great Southern Stand upgrade fact sheet