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Save Albert Park committee spokesman Peter Logan criticised the proposed changes, and said there was an “enormous” downside to Victoria hosting the grand prix.
“Restricting people’s access to the park … It’s a park, it’s not a motor racing circuit. They’re trying to turn it further and further into a motor racing circuit,” he said.
Logan said preparation for the event was logistically disruptive, and described four months of continuous truck traffic in and out of the park.
“Everything’s bad. There’s no upside to this event, other than the Netflix series,” he said.
“They’ve chosen an inner-city park, a major park, the biggest piece of public open space in the Cty of Port Phillip. We keep throwing money at a loss-making venture, and the losses are greater and greater. There is no financial or economic sense behind it.”
The government says the new 21-day window will allow for safer, more controlled access for workers and reduced risk for park users during construction periods.
The grand prix corporation is already exceeding the current legal seven-day limit for occupation of the park, as construction crews work outside the window to assemble and dismantle the infrastructure around the circuit.
Last week trees were cut down to make way for an upgrade to the Albert Park pit lane.Credit: Joe Armao
Corporation chief executive Travis Auld said the extended period was necessary to manage the increasing scale of the event.
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“It is important that while occupying the park we do everything possible to keep the community, our fans and everyone in the park safe,” he said.
The grand prix’s growing footprint in Albert Park has reignited concerns about environment and public access impacts.
Last week, workers using heavy machinery felled trees around the park’s permanent pit lane building to make way for a $350 million redevelopment of race infrastructure.
In total, 34 mature trees will be removed as part of the upgrade, which includes new garages in pit lane, a race control centre, media facilities and hospitality suites.
While full construction on the new facilities is not scheduled to begin until after the 2026 race, early works are under way. The upgrades follow a 2023 renegotiation of the state’s contract with Formula 1 owner Liberty Media, which secured Melbourne’s hosting rights until 2037.
Public consultation on the proposed legislation is expected to open in the coming weeks.
Port Phillip Council has been contacted for comment.
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