News

• 2009-11-20 - Artists called for stadium lights spectacular

  Victorian artists are being called upon to submit ideas for lighting shows to illuminate Melbourne’s new Rectangular Stadium.

  Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas said the call for artists to provide lighting ideas for the stadium was a fantastic opportunity to be a part of a new Melbourne icon.

  “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to invest in projects like the $267.5 million Melbourne Rectangular Stadium that generate thousands of jobs, stimulate the local economy and in this case, deliver a new sporting icon for Victoria,” Mr Pallas said.

  “The stadium, with its unique bio-frame roof design, is causing enormous excitement and the feature lighting is going to take it to a completely different level.

  “We are looking for artists to submit expressions of interest to produce light shows and visual effects across the more than one thousand LED lights on the stadium roof.

  “The low energy lights can shine in any colour and be individually programmed to create a multitude of artistic visual effects.

  “The light shows will need to inspire excitement and pride as well as tangibly connecting the project with Melbourne’s sporting and cultural heritage.”

  Key themes for the lighting show should include:
  · The landscape, precinct and indigenous local stories surrounding the stadium;
  · The rituals, anticipation and excitement players and patrons experience before during and after sporting events;
  · The sense of celebration and festival atmosphere that the city, precinct and venue share during certain times of the year, regularly held events or during large one-off events; and
  · The stadium as home to Melbourne’s soccer and rugby clubs.

  “This stadium is going to be an international beacon for Victoria and I encourage suitably experienced artists to register their interest in lighting up this world class project,” Mr Pallas said.

  Expressions of Interest (EOI) must be lodged at www.tenderlink.com/mpv by Friday, 4 December, 2009.

  Click on the project information button for more information about the stadium.

• 2009-11-12 - Melbourne's new Super 15 team

  Melbourne has landed a major coup and further cemented its status as the world’s sporting capital by winning a new team licence for the expanding South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Union (SANZAR) competition, Premier John Brumby said today.

  Mr Brumby congratulated the ARU and VRU in their efforts to secure Melbourne a spot in the competition from 2011, which was decided following an arbitration process today.

  “Victorians love their sport and Melbourne is the perfect fit for a new team,” Mr Brumby said.

  "With construction of our iconic $267 million rectangular stadium well advanced – Melbourne will be right at home and today’s decision is great news for Victorian rugby.

  "The Victorian Government continues to invest in key infrastructure projects to give Victoria the edge and ensure we continue to attract the major sporting events Melbourne is renowned for.

  “Our new stadium – home to the new team, Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory – will be one of the best stadiums in the world to watch Rugby Union and our other rectangular codes.”

  Sports Minister James Merlino said the Victorian Government had taken a leadership role in the bidding process and worked closely with the ARU, VRU and wider rugby community to bring all the interested parties together and ensure Melbourne’s bid was the strongest it could be.

  “Melbourne is the best choice for a new Super Rugby team – our bid has the support of our passionate rugby community, business leaders and the Victorian Government,” Mr Merlino said.

  “The decision reaffirms Melbourne as a sporting capital and we now boast a team in every major sporting code in Australia. I congratulate everyone who has worked so tirelessly to ensure Melbourne’s bid was a success.”

  VRU Chairman Gary Gray said the decision was a big win for Victoria's rugby union community.

  “This is a great reward for all of Victoria’s dedicated and passionate rugby union fans and is a fantastic opportunity to grow and develop the code in Victoria,” Mr Gray said.

  “This year we celebrate 100 years of rugby in this state and the decision is a great reward.”

  Mr Merlino said the Victorian Government had provided $500,000 in funding towards the State Rugby Centre at the Rectangular Stadium, which will provide first-class facilities for player training and conditioning.

• 2009-07-31 - Rectangular stadium to light up Melbourne's skyline

  The Brumby Labor Government’s new Rectangular Stadium will have Victorians glowing with pride as it lights up Melbourne’s night skyline, thanks to a spectacular new lighting design.

  Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas today announced that the stadium roof would be covered with thousands of LED lights that can shine in any colour and be programmed into a multitude of patterns.

  “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to invest in projects like the $267.5 million Melbourne Rectangular Stadium that generate thousands of jobs, stimulate the local economy and in this case, deliver a new sporting icon for Victoria,” Mr Pallas said.

  “This 31,000-capacity boutique stadium, with its unique bio-frame roof, is already attracting huge attention in the community and these new lights will take it to another level.

  “The Rectangular Stadium will be an amazing landmark and a shimmering new beacon in the Melbourne skyline. It won’t just be the sporting events inside that attract attention, the stadium itself will be a spectacle.”

  Mr Pallas said the lighting scheme would put Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium up there with Beijing’s water cube and the 2006 World Cup stadium Allianz Arena in Munich.

  “The Rectangular Stadium is causing great excitement for sports fans in Melbourne and this lighting scheme just kicks it up another gear,” he said.

  “Our illuminated stadium will also be environmentally friendly, with the LED lights using around one tenth of the power required to floodlight the stadium and without any light spill into the surrounding area.

  “The design also avoids the problems normally associated with floodlighting buildings, which can attract insects and birds. The team of artists and lighting designers at Electrolight have created programme that is a work-of-art in itself.”

  Mr Pallas said the lighting would be programmed to tell the story of the stadium in an abstract way, describing the history and landscape of the site, anticipation before a game and the excitement and energy of the match.

  “Further artistic design work will be carried out between now and the stadium’s opening in 2010 to create a program to light up Melbourne’s night skyline in ways never seen before,” he said.

  The Rectangular Stadium, which will be operational in early 2010, is another piece of the jigsaw in Melbourne’s suite of stadiums that makes the sporting precinct the best in the world, and only ten minutes walk from the CBD.
  

• 2009-03-10 - Melbourne rectangular stadium takes shape

  A new icon is taking shape and changing Melbourne’s skyline as the distinctive roof frames of the $268 million Rectangular Stadium are bolted into place.

  Major Projects Minister Tim Pallas said Melburnians were starting to get an idea of how the new 31,000 capacity stadium is going to look.

  “The Brumby Government is taking action to invest in vital infrastructure like the Rectangular Stadium that creates jobs and new business opportunities while delivering an important new sports and entertainment facility,” Mr Pallas said.

  “Anybody driving or walking the area can really see the stadium’s bio-frame roof coming together. This stadium is not only going to be an excellent sporting arena, it’s also going to stand out as something unique on Melbourne’s skyline.”

  Speaking at a site tour for the construction industry, Mr Pallas said more than 1200 workers had been employed both on and off site during the project, which is expected to generate about $775 million in benefits for the construction and associated industries.

  “The distinctive roof is also a triumph for Australia’s manufacturing sector with the steel frames and cladding panels being manufactured in Melbourne and Launceston,” he said.

  “The bio-frame’s lightweight support structure enables a better use of internal space and will require about 50 per cent less steel than a typical roof structure.

  “Given the high embodied energy of steel, its minimal use in the stadium represents a significant environmental benefit. Rainwater will also be collected from the roof for use in the stadium, further enhancing its green credentials.

  “The self supporting bio-frame shape also means there is no need for roof pylons, providing excellent sightlines for fans. Spectators will have an unparalleled experience in terms of comfort and being right on top of the action.

  “The stadium will also feature a world-class playing surface and player’s facilities as well as an associated sports campus with medical facilities and administration offices.”

  The Melbourne Rectangular Stadium will be operational in 2010 with the first tenants moving in by mid-2009.

• 2008-08-08 - Brumby takes first look at rectangular stadium

  Premier John Brumby today took his first look at the $267.5 million Melbourne Rectangular Stadium as it begins to take shape at the Olympic Park precinct. 

  Mr Brumby, joined by Major Projects Minister Theo Theophanous and players from Melbourne Victory ahead of tonight’s Olyroos match against Argentina, said the 31,000-seat facility would cater for Melbourne’s growing interest in soccer.

  “It doesn’t take too much imagination to realise that the rectangular stadium, with its distinctive bio-frame roof, will be a new Melbourne sporting icon,” Mr Brumby said.

  “For many years soccer and rugby in Victoria have made do with inadequate grounds either designed for other sports or incapable of accommodating increasingly large crowds in comfort – this stadium will change all that.

  “Spectators will have an awesome viewing experience while the players will have the very best quality playing surface and training facilities, so I think everyone will love this stadium.

  “This stadium is another piece of the jigsaw in Melbourne’s suite of stadiums that makes our sporting precinct the best in the world – and only ten minutes walk from the CBD.”

  Major Projects Minister Theo Theophanous said the project was entering a new stage with construction set to commence on the stadium’s bio frame roof in the coming months.

  “In the next few months the stadium will become part of Melbourne’s skyline as the first shells of the bio-frame roof go up. We are going to start to see the ‘wow’ factor of this project,” Mr Theophanous said.
   
  “The stadium also leads the way with its cutting edge design and environmental features such as rain water harvesting and low water and energy use fittings. The roof itself uses around 50 per cent less steel than the equivalent cantilevered structure – a significant environmental saving.”

  Grocon CEO Daniel Grollo said he was delighted the company had been selected to build the Rectangular Stadium, following on from its successful redevelopment of the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
   
  “We have been on site here almost a year now and it’s a very exciting project to be involved with,” Mr Grollo said.
   
  “The look of the stadium, with its distinctive roof, will ensure it is a great landmark for Melbourne, as well as providing greater enjoyment for followers of soccer, rugby union and rugby league. It will be a major feature of Melbourne’s famous sports and entertainment precinct.”
   
  Work on the $267.5 million stadium began late last year and is expected to be operational by 2010.

  
   

• 2007-05-23 - Bigger stadium to boost Melbourne's sporting reputation

  Melbourne’s next world class stadium will be expanded to accommodate over 31,000 fans thanks to an agreement reached with Melbourne Victory and the Football Federation of Australia.

  Premier Steve Bracks said the agreement boosted Melbourne’s credentials to host extra soccer matches such as international ‘friendly’ matches or games against clubs from overseas in addition to matches during the normal A-League season.

  “This is the best possible deal for soccer, rugby league and rugby union fans,” Mr Bracks said.

  “The new stadium will be a significant addition to Victoria’s world-renowned sporting facilities. For the first time Victoria’s soccer fans will be able to watch A-League games in a purpose-built stadium.”

  Mr Bracks said work on the $268 million stadium will begin later this year and is expected to be complete by the end of 2009.

  An average of seven soccer games, including Melbourne Victory A League games and other international and national soccer matches, will be played every year at the new stadium. Another five games per year will be played at the Telstra Dome, taking advantage of its capacity to hold crowds of more than 50,000.

  Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino, said the announcement was designed to grow soccer in Victoria even further.

  “Soccer has enjoyed an amazing 12 months in this state and we hope to strengthen this success with a bigger stadium,” Mr Merlino said.

  “The completion of the larger rectangular stadium, together with Telstra Dome and the MCG, will result in Melbourne having the World’s best suite of Stadiums able to cater for all football codes. This will reinforce Melbourne’s reputation as the sporting capital of the nation.”

  Minister for Major Projects, Theo Theophanous, said he was pleased the stadium would now be built to provide seating for more than 31,000 fans, up from 20,000 seats as originally planned.

  “This will be the best soccer stadium Victoria has ever had. We have worked very hard to design a modern stadium that meets the needs of Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Victory, the Australian Rugby Union, the Football Federation of Australia and the Melbourne Football Club,” Mr Theophanous said.

  Melbourne Victory will also join the Bracks Government and the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) in their Victorian Community Football Program. The program will enable Victory players to pass on their knowledge and expertise to school children across Victoria, including in the regions, to ensure future generations of soccer players.

• 2007-03-04 - Stadium for all seasons gets seating upgrade

  Victorian sports fans are set to get a world-class 27,750 seat rectangular-pitch stadium, providing the best stadium for rugby league, rugby union and soccer the state has ever had, Premier Steve Bracks said today.

  Announcing that Grocon was the Government’s preferred tender for the project, Mr Bracks said the ground would be further expanded to 31,500 seats but only if the Football Federation of Australia and the Melbourne Victory sign up to play at the stadium.

  “The new stadium will be bigger and better than first planned, providing seating capacity for rugby league, rugby union and soccer fans,” Mr Bracks said.

  “Thanks to the flexibility in the original design, we were able to adjust the project to accommodate the increased support in soccer we have witnessed in recent months.

  “Today’s announcement increases the size of the stadium from 20,000 up to 31,500 seats.”

  The 27,750 seat stadium would cost around $256 million and is due to be completed in 2009. Further funding would be required if the stadium was increased to 31,500 seats.

  Minister for Major Projects, Theo Theophanous, said the original design could easily be reconfigured to expand to 31,500 seats but only if the Football Federation of Australia and the Melbourne Victory come on board.

  “Whether we build a stadium with 31,500 seats or 27,750 seats is now in Melbourne Victory’s hands,” Mr Theophanous said.

  “Building a better stadium with increased capacity means additional funding is required but this new stadium will be extremely popular among Victoria’s avid sports fans.

  “We will continue discussions with the Football Federation of Australia and the Melbourne Victory but now that we have our plans on the table we can’t afford to wait long.”

  Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino said the Government would build the stadium for the Melbourne Storm and the Melbourne Football Club, but he hoped the Melbourne Victory would also decide to use the stadium as their home ground.

  “If they want the best possible venue for soccer they will jump at the opportunity to play here,” Mr Merlino said.

  “All football codes have solid supporter bases in sports-mad Victoria and this purpose-built stadium will add a unique and important component to Victoria’s sporting and major events infrastructure.”

  The stadium will maintain the iconic bioframe roof design and house sports training and administration facilities which will rival the word’s best.

  The stadium would also provide world class administrative and training facilities for the Melbourne Football Club.

  The stadium will be built with strengthened foundations to allow future expansion.

  To lessen the impact on the state’s water supplies, the stadium would capture storm water for use in stadium facilities such as toilets.

• 2006-08-18 - Builders shortlisted for new soccer and rugby stadium

  The Minister for Major Projects, John Lenders, today announced the four builders short-listed to tender for the design and construction of the new stadium in the Olympic Park precinct.

  Mr Lenders said the spectacular 20,000 seat capacity rectangular stadium comprised an iconic Bioframe roof and would house sports training and administration facilities.

  He said the selection of the tender short-list was based on experience in stadium construction and complex roof structures.

  The following companies have been invited to submit detailed proposals:

  • Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd
  • Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd
  • Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd
  • Grocon Constructors Pty Ltd

  Mr Lenders said the stadium, to be built on Edwin Flack field, was set to rival the word’s best in function and form and represented the next generation of sports stadium design.

  “The stadium will feature a sports campus including an elite training centre and office accommodation for the Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Football Club, Victorian Rugby Union, Victorian Olympic Council, Olympic Park Sports Medicine and Tennis Victoria,” he said.

  “What other city in the world can boast venues such as the MCG, Rod Laver Arena, Vodafone Arena and the new Rectangular Stadium alongside one another in a sporting precinct on the doorstep of the CBD.

  “The new stadium would provide the missing link for rugby and soccer, boosting these codes at a time when interest is at its peak.”

  The estimated cost of the stadium is around $190m. The Bracks Government will make a contribution of $149m towards this cost, with the balance funded by Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust.

  The final costs will be determined after the builder is selected and detailed arrangements with all potential tenants, sponsors and suppliers is negotiated.

  Once a building contractor has been selected, the construction timetable will be confirmed, but the stadium is expected to be completed in 2009.

  Site preparation work will commence after the AFL Grand Final to allow the maximum time for Collingwood to train on the Edwin Flack Field with no disruptions. The preferred builder is expected to be announced by the end of this year.

• 2006-06-05 - Builders called for new soccer and rugby stadium

  The Acting Minister for Major Projects, Justin Madden, today called for expressions of interest from construction companies to build Melbourne’s spectacular new rugby and soccer stadium in the Olympic Park precinct.

  Mr Madden, who is also the Minister for Sport and Recreation, said the 20,000-seat, rectangular stadium and sports administration complex would be the new home for Melbourne Victory and the Melbourne Storm.

  “The Socceroos World Cup campaign has proven Australia is an emerging world force in soccer and Melbourne’s new stadium will do much to support the growing popularity and the development of the game locally,” Mr Madden said.

  Mr Madden said the stadium, to be built on Edwin Flack field, would rival the word’s best in function and form and represented the next generation of sports stadium design.

  “The stadium will feature a spectacular Bioframe roof with a panel façade of glass, metal and louvers to allow maximum sunlight and ventilation for a healthy playing turf and a great atmosphere for sports fans,” Mr Madden said.

  “The sports campus, including an elite training centre and office accommodation for sporting organisations like Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Football Club, Victorian Rugby Union, Football Federation Victoria, Victorian Olympic Council, Olympic Park Sports Medicine and Tennis Victoria.”

  Mr Madden said crowd sizes for soccer and rugby codes were sure to increase. “With this in mind, the stadium has been designed to increase seating from 20,000 to 25,000.”

  The estimated cost of the stadium will be around $190m. The Victorian Government will make a contribution of $149m towards this cost, with the balance funded by Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, tenants and suppliers. The final costs will be determined after the builder is selected and detailed arrangements with all potential tenants, sponsors and suppliers is negotiated

  The completion timetable will be confirmed once a building contractor has been selected, but the stadium is expected to be completed in 2009 with some elements completed earlier

  Advertisements for expressions of interest will appear in newspapers tomorrow. The closing date for expressions is 19 July.

• 2006-04-06 - Premier unveils spectacular design for new stadium

  A spectacular new 20,000-seat, soccer and rugby stadium to be built in the Olympic Park precinct will make Melbourne the envy of the world, Premier Steve Bracks, said today.

  Mr Bracks, who revealed the stadium’s cutting-edge Bioframe design today, said the new home for Melbourne Victory and the Melbourne Storm would be a world-class event and administration complex.

  “No city in the world can boast world-class sporting infrastructure like Melbourne so close to the city,” Mr Bracks said.

  “We are not resting on our laurels following ‘simply the best’ Commonwealth Games. We are continuing to invest in facilities to help attract major events to Victoria.”

  Mr Bracks said the new stadium would provide the missing link in Melbourne’s sporting infrastructure.

  “The stadium will boost the development of rugby and soccer at a time when interest in these football codes is growing,” Mr Bracks said.

  Mr Bracks said the stadium, to be built on Edwin Flack field, would rival the word’s best in function and environmentally sustainable features.

  “This represents the next generation of sports stadium design,” Mr Bracks said.

  “The geodesic dome roof will fully cover the seating area and uses 50 percent less steel than a typical stadium roof.

  “Most importantly, the panelised façade of glass, metal and louvers will allow maximum sunlight and ventilation for a healthy playing turf and a great atmosphere for sports fans.”

  It will also feature a sports campus, including an elite training centre and office accommodation for Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Football Club, Victorian Rugby Union, Football Federation Victoria, Victorian Olympic Council, Olympic Park Sports Medicine and Tennis Victoria.

  Mr Bracks said the stadium would have an initial capacity of 20,000 with the scope to increase to 25,000.

  “Current crowd sizes for rugby and soccer, of about 10,000 to 15,000, are not large enough to be viable in the long-term at the MCG or Telstra Dome, while Olympic Park can only seat 12,000,” Mr Bracks said.

  “Given the increasing popularity of these football codes, we expect crowd sizes for soccer and rugby to increase – and with this in mind, the stadium has been designed with sufficient capacity to increase seating.”

  The estimated cost of the stadium will be around $190m. The Victorian Government will make a contribution of $149m towards this cost, with the balance funded by Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, tenants and suppliers.

  The final costs will be determined following the selection of the builder and the negotiation of detailed arrangements with all potential tenants, sponsors and suppliers.
  Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust will fund their contribution from borrowings, which will be offset by revenue from rent, ticket sales, naming rights and sponsorship deals.

  Site preparation will begin next month with the demolition of various buildings, the relocation of services and the commencement of earth works.

  The exact completion timetable will be confirmed once a building contractor has been selected. The newly scoped stadium is expected to be completed in 2009 with some elements completed earlier.

  The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Justin Madden, said a master-plan for the Olympic Park Precinct would be developed this year to determine the longer term location of the training grounds and future development options for the precinct.

  “Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory will continue to play home games at Olympic Park until the new stadium opens,” Mr Madden said.

  In the short term existing ovals in Gosch’s Paddock will be upgraded to provide training facilities for Collingwood and Melbourne Football Clubs.

  Mr Madden said a decision on the long-term future of athletics in the precinct would follow the completion of a feasibility study currently being conducted by the Government in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including Athletics Australia and Athletics Victoria. This study will explore options both within the Olympic Park precinct and outside the precinct.

  The Minister for Major Projects, John Lenders, said the new stadium was part of the biggest infrastructure spend in Victoria’s history.

  “In the next four years, the State Government will spend more than $11 billion or an average of $2.8 billion each year on infrastructure,” Mr Lenders said.

  “We are delivering a massive infrastructure program, building hospitals, roads and schools for all Victorians in a financially responsible way to make Victoria a better place to live.”

• 2005-04-30 - Vision for Olympic Park includes new rectangular stadium

  The Premier, Steve Bracks, has announced plans to build a new rectangular stadium for soccer and rugby league as a part of a new 2030 vision to make Olympic Park one of the world’s leading sports, training, and entertainment precincts.

  Mr Bracks also announced a 25-year master plan to revitalise the precinct would be developed by the end of the year.

  “The Olympic Park precinct has been the hub for elite and community sport in Melbourne since the 1956 Olympics,” Mr Bracks said.

  “With a new stadium and proper planning for the future, we will make it one of the best sports, training, and entertainment precincts in the world.”

  Mr Bracks announced that Melbourne Victory soccer club and the Melbourne Football Club would join the Collingwood Football Club, the Australian Tennis Open, Victorian Institute of Sport and Melbourne Storm in the redeveloped precinct.

  “Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Football Club have each signed Memorandums of Understanding with the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust (MOPT) indicating their long-term commitment to the new stadium and administration and training centre,” Mr Bracks said

  Mr Bracks said the new stadium would have a seating capacity between 18,000 and 20,000 spectators – with the option to expand this to 25,000 seats in the future.

  “Construction will begin immediately after the Commonwealth Games, and we expect it to be completed in 2008,” he said.

  He said the mid-sized stadium would fill the gap in Melbourne’s suite of outstanding sports facilities.

  “Tuesday’s State Budget will include a $10.7 million commitment to Stage 1 of the development to develop detailed designs for the new stadium, upgrade of the adjacent Gosch’s paddock for training grounds and to assist organisations affected adjust to the changes,” Mr Bracks said.

  The full cost of the stadium will be announced later this year following more detailed design work, the master-planning exercise and discussions with potential tenants on their usage requirements.

  Mr Bracks said the long-term master plan for the precinct would take into account the requirements of the AFL, rugby and soccer for new administration and training facilities, athletics and the Australian Open.

  “The masterplan will examine many options for the sports precinct and we will work closely with the City of Melbourne and the other sporting partners as we configure the precinct.”

  Sports Minister Justin Madden said the Government had decided to proceed with a rectangular stadium as the result of ongoing discussions with stakeholders.

  “Last year we backed Victoria’s bid for a Melbourne-based rugby union team by pledging a new $100m stadium. After the bid proved unsuccessful the business case for a new stadium was reviewed,” Mr Madden said.

  “With approximately 23 games per year expected from Melbourne Storm and the new Melbourne Victory, a modern venue with greater capacity to meet expected audience growth is justified.”

  The Government has committed $6m towards the detailed design work for the new stadium and $4.7 million for the upgrade of ovals, development programs and temporary accommodation facilities for a number of tenants at Melbourne and Olympic Parks.