Marvel Stadium management change

By David Schout

The AFL has announced a change to the management of Marvel Stadium, revealing it plans to integrate the stadium into its organisation within the next year.

The AFL, which took ownership of the stadium in 2016, said a new senior executive would replace current CEO Michael Green and it would move the venue into a business unit within the organisation.

A new general manager will be responsible for the overall performance of the stadium, including its awaited redevelopment, and will report to AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, while Green will remain in a senior role.

More pertinently for Docklands residents, however, is that long-awaited details on the precinct’s redevelopment remain unclear as the Harbour Esplanade masterplan is still yet to be released.

In October, City of Melbourne CEO Justin Hanney said the it would likely be available in November.

But Development Victoria, the agency responsible for the development of the City to Waterfront masterplan, told Docklands News it had no further updates or timelines on its release.

McLachlan said the shift in management structure came at a key juncture in the future of both the stadium and the surrounding area in Docklands.

“We are entering a really exciting period over the next few years where we are redeveloping the stadium and surrounding precinct into what we believe will be the most fan-friendly multi-purpose stadium in the world,” he said.

“I am excited by what the redevelopment will deliver inside and outside the stadium to create a better experience for fans, particularly families, who attend the Docklands precinct.”

In April last year the state government announced it would allocate $225 million to the project in a landmark deal with the AFL.

The considerable government input means the stadium will remain a multi-sport and entertainment venue.

It is hoped the redevelopment of the stadium precinct will improve the economic potential of the area during both events and non-event days.

Among a swathe of changes, the large-scale upgrades propose a “more vibrant” connectivity with the stadium and both the CBD and Southern Cross Station, plus new public space on the southern end of the concourse.