Albert Park Master Plan and Pit Building Upgrade Shape Next Local Decisions

Parks Victoria has released the final 25-year Albert Park Master Plan to guide future decisions for the park's health and wellbeing contributions. The City of Port Phillip Council has already submitted on the draft version, noting that Albert Park Reserve provides nearly 60 per cent of public open space in the municipality.

Master Plan Implementation Steps

The released plan focuses on improved access, increased planting and visitor experience enhancements. Local government will now need to align council submissions and funding priorities with these directions, particularly around new wetlands, cycling paths and Aboriginal cultural protections outlined in the document.

Pit Building and Grand Prix Timing

The Victorian Government is constructing a new pit building that includes seven indoor sport courts, 14 garages and expanded Paddock Club capacity for the 2028 Formula 1 Grand Prix. Demolition is scheduled to begin after the 2026 race, creating a defined window for planning how the new courts will integrate with existing park uses and local club access.

Budget Allocations and Reserve Projects

The 2025-26 Victorian Budget allocated $275,000 for lighting upgrades at Albert Park Oval No. 11, home of South Melbourne Football Club, and $2.63 million for South Melbourne Primary School expansion planning. Additional funding of $970,000 from the City of Port Phillip, matched by state and federal contributions, supports a new reserve at Spad Street and Farman Avenue. These commitments establish concrete next steps for lighting, school planning and open-space delivery.

The Albanese Labor Government has agreed to a $5 million investment with Parks Victoria to upgrade sports and recreational facilities aligned with master plan priorities, with projects to be completed by the end of 2025. The Victorian Government has also shelved earlier proposals to extend Formula 1 Grand Prix closures from seven days to three weeks following local resident opposition.

Key decisions ahead centre on sequencing these works, coordinating demolition and construction timelines with park users, and ensuring budget measures deliver the intended safety and accessibility improvements at Albert Park Oval No. 11 and the new Spad Street reserve. Parks Victoria and the City of Port Phillip will continue to coordinate on master plan rollout and facility upgrades.