Cricket fans attending Big Bash League (BBL) and international cricket matches at the MCG will be encouraged to allow extra time to enter the stadium after Melbourne Cricket Club and Victoria Police today announced the introduction of additional security measures, with Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria supporting the move.
Starting at this Sunday’s BBL match between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder, all patrons will be required to undertake bag checks and hand-held metal detection or “wanding” at one of several access points set back from the stadium before entering the MCG.
Each of the access points will contain a private area to accommodate any patron who does not want to be scanned in public view. There will also be express lanes for patrons who do not bring bags.
The new stadium perimeter will be situated approximately 20-25 metres back from the stadium and consist of a cyclone wire fence measuring 1.8 metres high, with entry and exit points corresponding to the existing MCG gates.
The perimeter and security measures implemented will be similar to those used at the MCG during the 2006 Commonwealth Games. It comes as Australia’s most iconic stadium seeks to provide a safer environment, following the terrorist incident in Paris in November, and particularly at Stade de France.
In other measures to be in place from Sunday night’s match:
- Vehicles in Yarra Park will be parked at least 25 metres back from the perimeter fence being used by patrons. This is expected to result in a reduction in parking capacity by about 15 per cent (or 500 spaces).
- Vehicles with valid passes to park beneath the stadium will be searched away from the stadium in Brunton Avenue before proceeding to the stadium car park entrances.
- MCC has also sought approval from Vic Roads to extend the pre-match closure of Brunton Avenue to through traffic from one hour to two-and-a-half hours before the start of every MCG event.
MCC CEO Stephen Gough said patrons should feel reassured that the MCG stadium operator, in conjunction with the major sporting codes, is doing as much as possible to provide a safe environment.
“We continue to receive the very best advice from police and intelligence authorities with respect to security matters,” said MCC CEO Stephen Gough.
“While the advice remains that there is no localised threat to the MCG, we have taken the opportunity to add an extra layer of security and comfort for our patrons.
“We recognise that the more stringent entry procedure will mean it takes a little longer for patrons to enter the stadium.
We ask for patience and understanding during that time, and encourage people to plan their journey to arrive earlier than normal to ensure they don’t miss the first ball or a moment of the action.”
Mr Gough said the procedures were constantly reviewed and that no firm commitment had yet been made about arrangements for the 2016 AFL season.
“We will monitor the introduction at Sunday night’s BBL and make adjustments for the Boxing Day Test as necessary. We are also in discussions with the AFL about stadium security at their matches next season.”
Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia’s head of security, said: “The safety and security of fans, players and officials at any of our events is our number one priority. We are therefore very supportive of the MCC’s proactive security arrangements this summer.
“With the changes, spectators attending matches at the MCG are encouraged to arrive early to avoid missing any of play,” said Mr Carroll.
Sunday’s BBL match between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder commences at 7.25pm. Stadium gates will open at 6.00pm.
