AFL partners with Development Victoria to explore major mixed-use project for Docklands sites

AFL House and the Channel 7 broadcast centre at Melbourne’s Docklands precinct could be bulldozed to make way for a new mixed-use development following a joint-venture agreement between the AFL and the Victorian Government’s property development agency Development Victoria.

The partnership aims to explore redevelopment opportunities for the two sites, at 140 and 160 Harbour Esplanade, with a view to transforming the waterfront precinct through a range of potential uses including housing, commercial and entertainment.

Development Victoria, the authority responsible for the development of Docklands, bought the leasehold to 160 Harbour Esplanade, currently occupied by the Channel 7 broadcast centre, in 2018.

The Channel 7 building is adjacent to AFL House and the partners say future redevelopment of these sites and integration with Marvel Stadium presents opportunities to deliver a mixed-use development that can ‘revitalise Docklands’ waterfront and enhance the stadium as a sports and entertainment complex’.

The Victorian Government supported Marvel Stadium’s redevelopment as part of a strategy to bring world-class sporting and entertainment events to Melbourne for the next 30 years. 

“We invested $225 million to fund the redevelopment of Marvel Stadium so that we can continue to attract sporting and entertainment events to Melbourne and ensure Victoria remains the major events capital of Australia,” says Steve Dimopoulos, the Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events.

A planning scheme amendment application to change the Melbourne Planning Scheme to include potential building outlines and design requirements for future buildings on the Docklands sites has been lodged for consideration by the Victorian Minister for Planning.

“The joint venture will unlock a major new opportunity in Docklands to deliver housing, commercial and entertainment developments that transform Docklands waterfront and enhance Marvel Stadium as a sports and entertainment precinct,” says Natalia Hutchins, Victoria’s the Acting Minister for Development.

Matt Chun, the AFL’s executive general manager of finance, clubs and infrastructure says: “We are committed to delivering a memorable experience for fans and visitors to the precinct and excited by the opportunities this agreement presents at the site.”