Albert Park Pit Building

The existing pit building was constructed in 1995, with no significant upgrades since.

The current building does not meet the standards required by Formula 1 and the motorsport governing body, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, to host a Formula 1 event.

The pit building is being redeveloped to ensure Melbourne can continue to host the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix through to 2037.

The 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix welcomed more than 483,000 fans through the gates across the four days. Hotel occupancy in central Melbourne was around 93% the night before the race.

An economic report published in 2023 showed the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix poured $268 million into Victoria’s visitor economy and supported 1,149 full time jobs.

Victoria’s enviable calendar of major events gives locals the chance to enjoy world-class culture, sports and entertainment, while providing a boost of over $3.3 billion a year to our economy.

The upgrade will overhaul raceday facilities for drivers, support staff, race administration, media and spectators.

To ensure the Albert Park pit building redevelopment is fit for a world-class spectacle during the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, the new facility will include:

• 14 new car garages (12 team garages and 2 officials’ garages)
• New facilities for race control and administration
• New media centre
• Hospitality facilities (the Paddock Club) for 5,000 people, including prime viewing spaces, patron amenities and kitchen facilities.

Preliminary geotechnical investigations began in April 2025.

The current building will be demolished after the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

The new garages and a temporary Paddock Club 2,500 capacity facility will be constructed for the 2027 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

The new facility will be completed in time for the 2028 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

It is expected that the new garages will be constructed for the 2027 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and that a temporary 2,500 capacity Paddock Club facility will be provided for the event.

The project will be completed in time for the 2028 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

Development Victoria is leading delivery of the project in consultation with key partners, including the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Parks Victoria, State Sport Centres Trust and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.

We will work hard to minimise any impacts for the local community. Works notices will be distributed to local residents and businesses when main works commence and throughout the construction process whenever planned disruptions or traffic management activities are scheduled.

These notices will be made available on the project partner websites and casual park users will have the opportunity to opt into the community update emails.

We will work hard to minimise any impacts for the local community including the three schools bordering Albert Park. The project will keep the three schools in Albert Park updated via emails and community updates.

You can register for project updates at www.development.vic.gov.au or email the project team at AlbertPark@development.vic.gov.au

The pit building will be under construction between the 2026 and 2028 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix events and, therefore, not available to use by the public.

The three community sporting groups that will be provided temporary clubroom facilities during construction and will be able to access their existing playing fields.

The area immediately around the pit building will be impacted during the works and some roadways and paths may be diverted.  Notice of any changes to access ways and will be provided on site including directional signage.

Some of the casual use courts at the south eastern end of the existing building as well as field 16 west will be impacted by the works and unavailable during the construction period.

Access to allocated playing fields for tenant clubs will be maintained or suitable alternatives identified.

Demolition works set to begin on the existing pit building, paving the way for construction of the exciting new facility.

Preparation for demolition will begin following the completion of the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

Following demolition, construction of the new pit building and remediation of any contaminated soil will commence and continue through to the end of 2026.

The project will not disrupt the race for 2027 with a combination of existing, new and temporary facilities used to stage the event. The new pit building is on track to host the 2028 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

Yes. As part of these works, we’ll be undertaking night works to ensure we can meet delivery timelines.

Night works will begin from late March 2026.

Demolition night works:

• Demolition works will run from late March 2026 to approximately late June 2026 (subject to change).
• They will continue 24 hours a day, beginning Monday 7am through to Saturday 4pm (there will be a reduction in the use of heavy machinery after 10pm).

Soil treatment works:

• Soil treatment works will run from late March 2026 to approximately late July 2026 (subject to change).
• They will continue 24 hours a day, beginning Monday 7am through to Saturday 4pm.

Piling works:

• Piling works will run from late April 2026 to late July 2026 (subject to change).
• They will be from 7am to 10pm, Monday to Friday and from 7am to 4pm on Saturday.

No works are planned for Sundays or public holidays (subject to change).

We understand night works can be an inconvenience, and we’ll be taking every care to keep noise and disruption to a minimum. This includes constant monitoring of noise levels and using noise control strategies across the site.

We remain committed to continuously evaluating and updating our practices to use the most effective noise control measures available while respecting the community’s needs.

Night works will include:

• excavating soil
• piling works (through to 10pm)
• demolition works
• truck loading and movements from the site

What to expect

• increased construction noise and vibrations associated with plant and equipment
• increased vehicle movements in and out of the site, managed by traffic controllers as required
• temporary lighting within the work area for safety. The lighting will be directed away from homes and surrounding parkland where possible
• alternative routes for pedestrian and cyclist access, with traffic management where needed

We’ll make every effort to minimise impacts on nearby residents, park users, tenant clubs and businesses.

An engineering specialist has completed an assessment and determined that vibration generated by construction activity will not be detrimental to nearby structures.

Additional mitigations to minimise disruptions including:

• advanced on-site noise monitors and vibration monitors operating throughout works
• on-site noise monitors will notify the construction team if noise exceeds permitted levels and corrective actions will be taken to reduce noise if this happens
• use of acoustic blankets on temporary fencing to reduce noise
• use of acoustic dampeners and covers on piling rig to minimise noise
• reduce on-site generators during night work wherever possible
• no idling - machinery and vehicles to be switched off when not in use
• all lighting to be internal to the site and directional to the works zone. Please note that night works will require lights to be erected on site. The lighting will be directed away from homes and surrounding parkland where possible
• management procedure in place to respond to and address complaints.

To ensure community sporting club tenants currently based in the pit building can continue to operate during the redevelopment, they will be temporarily relocated to new facilities.

The facilities will be located adjacent to the sports clubs playing fields.
Development Victoria has undertaken consultation with the sporting clubs and Parks Victoria to ensure the temporary facilities meet their needs.

The sports clubs that will be relocated are:

• Middle Park Soccer Club
• South Melbourne Women’s Football Club
• Power House Rugby Union Club

As part of this redevelopment, it is planned that the Power House Rugby Union Club facility will become permanent. The location for their new home has been approved by Parks Victoria and will provide much needed facilities for community sport.

An arborist report has identified two trees for removal to allow for the construction of these pavilions. The trees are mature exotic Balsam Poplar and Pin Oak.

These trees are being replaced as part of 120 trees that will be replanted around the new building and the wider park.

As part of the early works for the redevelopment of the Albert Park Pit Building, we have identified asbestos in the soil. While it is not posing a health risk, we are taking proactive steps to safely manage and treat it.

The soil and materials are being tracked from extraction to safe disposal, and independent inspections are being conducted on-site during removal and post-removal.

Treating the soil will require an extension to the work site area impacting the basketball courts next to the current pit building which are now closed.

The safety of our workers and the community is our top priority in all asbestos removal activities and we are taking all necessary steps to minimise the impact of asbestos removal on the surrounding environment.

Our methods are designed to protect the health of the community and prevent any exposure to asbestos fibres. We adhere to Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, implementing safety controls such as defining work areas, dust suppression, and protective clothing for workers. We also conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure ongoing compliance and the highest standards of safety.

To ensure the project adheres to environmental controls, several noise and vibration monitors will be placed throughout the park. These will assist the project team to keep noise and vibration within the allowed limits.

Footpath access

Footpaths to the east, north and south of the construction site will be closed as required to allow for site setup and pre-construction services upgrade works.

Pedestrian access

Access to the current pit building will be maintained, with clear signage in place to divert pedestrians around the construction site.

We will work closely with our contractors to minimise any disruptions for park users.

Traffic management measures

Measures such as traffic controllers, signage and bollards will be used to direct traffic around the site. Worksite exclusion fencing, and bollards will also be used to control hazards at the worksite.

Please take note of the changed traffic conditions if you drive in through the park.