The Victorian Government wants to triple the Grand Prix closure period from 7 to 21 days — turning our community’s park into a semi-permanent construction zone – with the community locked out.

If this Bill passes, the damage to our environment, our sporting clubs, and our wellbeing will be devastating. That’s why I’ve launched this petition to stop this damaging Bill. 

Albert Park is more than just a venue. On any weekday or weekend throughout the year (outside the GP lockout), you’ll find children playing their first soccer or cricket matches, families and dogs enjoying a walk, the lake dotted with boats while runners circle, golfers, readers, and elderly residents staying active. It’s also home to black swans, wood ducks, and rare birdlife.

Tripling the lockout period, combined with extended partial closures and heavy infrastructure works, will push our community out and cause lasting harm to the park’s fragile ecosystem.

We already know the toll the Grand Prix takes:-  damage to parklands and sportsfields; disruptions, financial and membership losses at community clubs; big extra workloads for some volunteers while others are locked out from helping; wildlife displaced or killed, stressed swans; and dogs and quiet recreation shut out. Local schools, businesses, community groups and organisations, and even Melbourne’s largest trauma centre are impacted by road closures and construction disruption. 

Yet the Government keeps spending more taxpayer money to expand the GP’s heavy footprint, dodges fair compensation, and provides no investment in Albert Park for anything other than the GP.

This Bill benefits foreign companies and their corporate mates at the expense of everyone else. Ordinary park users, families, dogs and walkers, sporting clubs, and residents are being sidelined while Albert Park is treated as a private venue for exclusive events. We cannot allow a vital community space to be further commercialised and degraded in this way.

That’s why we are demanding:

• Withdrawal of the tripled closure period — 7 days is enough.
• Proper planned funding servicing ALL users of Australia’s most famous park – not just the four days of the GP.
• Proper compensation and support for affected businesses and community groups.
• A limit on the future growth of the GP, at the expense of the welfare of the Park, its users, flora and fauna. 

With your help, we can stop this damaging Bill and ensure the park is protected for future generations. 

Hugo Armstrong
President, Albert Park Community Sports Association

And on behalf of many community, sporting, environmental and recreational groups, and the Port Phillip community.