- Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services
In this Media Release
Tennis fans heading to this year’s Australian Open will be better protected with the completion of the Andrews Labor Government’s CBD security upgrades around the famous sporting precinct.
Work to install bollards along Olympic Boulevard and around the Melbourne Arena and AAMI Park forecourts was finished late last year, ahead of the tournament, which is expected to attract almost 800,000 fans from across Australia and the world.
Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services Paul Edbrooke joined Victoria Police and Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp today to outline arrangements for this year’s Australian Open.
Police and PSOs will maintain a highly-visible police presence throughout the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, major transport hubs and across Melbourne’s CBD and Yarra.
Victoria Police has existing safety and emergency response measures across the CBD for major events to support initiatives including the physical safety upgrades.
Other recently completed upgrades include the installation of stainless-steel bollards and bluestone blocks out the front of the State Library Victoria.
At Queen Victoria Market, installation of steel bollards along Peel and Elizabeth streets and at the corner of Therry and Elizabeth streets were also completed in December 2019. Protective measures and security upgrades have also been installed at Flinders Street Station, Princes Bridge and Bourke St Mall.
Mr Edbrooke also outlined the next stage of the $52.5 million CBD security upgrades, with work on the protective measures at Federation Square and Southern Cross Station set to start in the coming months.
These upgrades will provide extra protection for visitors to some of Melbourne’s most significant stadiums and major events.
The Victorian Budget 2019/20 included $2.5 million to help maintain and operate the CBD security improvements-including the site upgrades, CCTV camera expansion and a public address system.
As stated by Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services, Paul Edbrooke
“The next stage of our CBD security upgrades will provide more protection for sporting fans who flock to the area during the Australian Open and other events on our bustling sporting calendar.”
“We have worked closely with the experts, including police and the City of Melbourne, to provide greater protection, while also ensuring people can continue to walk, cycle and enjoy these areas.”
