Melbourne businesses and sports fans are revving up in anticipation to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans to the city for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today joined representatives from the Australian Grand Prix Corporation at Albert Park where the circuit build is taking shape, delivering thousands of jobs for Victorians.
Secured in Melbourne until 2037, the global racing event is a significant economic driver for Victoria and is one of the largest pop-up events in the southern hemisphere.
It delivers a buzz like no other right across the state, packing out hotels, restaurants and bars, while supporting local jobs and businesses.
A study by Ernst & Young estimated the 2022 event directly injected $92 million into Victoria's economy, and increased Victoria's Gross State Product (GSP) by $171 million.
It was also estimated that the event supported 734 annual full-time equivalent jobs. The circuit build and dismantle alone created more than 2,500 temporary construction jobs over more than 400,000 hours of work. In addition, 80 per cent of catering staff were local to Victoria and of the 81 food vendors, 75 were Victorian based.
The 2022 Grand Prix recorded the highest ever Melbourne attendance, with more than 419,000 fans enjoying the action at Albert Park over the four-day event and a national audience of 3.1 million tuning in on free-to-air TV.
There will be more than 2,300 extra tram services put on over the race weekend, making it quicker and easier to travel to the track.
Grand Prix ticket holders will be able to use their ticket to travel free on trams to and from Albert Park on the day of admission, removing the need for passengers to touch on with a myki.
Dedicated Grand Prix express trams will be operating every one to two minutes during busy times from Southern Cross Station and Flinders Street Station (St Kilda Road) over the event with trams running from 5.30am until 10pm each night.
Southern Cross Station trams will run to Gates 1, 2 and 3. Flinders Street Station trams will run to Gates 5, 8, 9 and 10. Express trams will also run from Melbourne Central to Albert Park to Gates 5, 8, 9 and 10.
Lakeside Drive and roads within Albert Park are closed to the public for the event. Road closures will also be in place at Spencer Street, Bourke Street and St Kilda Road at various times to allow for increased pedestrian and tram activity.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has also worked closely with event taxi provider 13cabs to increase frequency of services. There will be an increased taxi fleet of 800 cabs available to transport fans to and from the event.
To plan your journey head to ptv.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"Nowhere does major events like Victoria and the Grand Prix will be another demonstration of why we are the best in the world for global sports - and they bring big benefits for local businesses and workers."
As stated by Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll
"Motor sport fans should leave the car keys at home - with public transport the best way to get trackside because we're providing more than 2,300 extra tram services to get people to and from Albert Park."
As stated by Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott
"With just over one week to go, we're getting ready for the biggest Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in the event's Albert Park history - we can't wait to see Melbourne come alive next week."
