Sports and Entertainment Precinct
This precinct has been identified as a key area for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. This section details the characteristics of the precinct, the dates of competition on which the precinct will be in use, and the traffic and transport plans for the area and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying maps.
Venues
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Multi Purpose Venue (MPV), Rod Laver Arena (RLA).
Sports
Athletics, Basketball, Track Cycling, Gymnastics, Netball
Opening Ceremony
Wednesday 15 March 2006 - MCG and along the Yarra River
Closing Ceremony
Sunday 26 March 2006 - MCG and along the Yarra River
Competition dates
March 2006
| Venue | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| MCG | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
| MPV | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
| RLA | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Melbourne's Sports and Entertainment Precinct is located within short walking distance of the CBD and is the main activity centre for the Commonwealth Games. With the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, competition, Festival Melbourne 2006 activities and Live Sites, this precinct will host large crowd numbers each day.
Transport overview
Spectators will travel to the precinct by train, tram and on foot. There is no public parking at any of the venues in this precinct. Spectators will arrive at Flinders Street, Richmond and Jolimont Stations and use Wellington Parade, Birrarung Marr and the Yarra Park Pedestrian Link, or Swan Street to walk to the venues.
An accessible Shuttle* bus will operate from behind Federation Square at the extension of Russell Street to transfer people with limited mobility to the Melbourne Park bus park off Swan St, providing access to the Multi- Purpose Venue, Rod Laver Arena and to Jolimont Street for access to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Athletes and the Games Family will travel in accredited vehicles between venues and the Village or other Games centres. These transport services will operate at regular times throughout the Games.
*See Glossary
Affected main roads (arrangements as indicated)
| Alexandra Avenue |
Closed between Southbank Boulevard and Anderson Street during the Marathon - Sunday 19 March Closed between Southbank Boulevard and Chapel Street during Road Race Familiarisation and competition - Saturday 25 March 4.00am to midday and Sunday 26 March 4.00am to 7.00pm respectively |
| Brunton Avenue |
Closed to traffic - Wednesday 8 March to Sunday 2 April |
| Swan Street Bridge |
Closed - Wednesday 15 March, 7.30pm to midnight Closed - Sunday 19 March for the Marathon, from around 9.00am until as soon as possible after the last runner has passed Closed - Saturday 25 March, 4.00am to midday Closed - Sunday 26 March, 4.00am to 1.00am (March 27) |
| Swan Street |
Lane closure - eastbound - Saturday 18 to Saturday 25 March |
| Wellington Parade |
Closed to traffic* between Clarendon Street and Lansdowne Street after MCG events *(for approximately two hours from 1.00pm and from 10.00pm on MCG event days and from 11.00pm following the Opening and Closing Ceremonies) |
Additional Arrangements
| Batman Avenue |
No U-Turn outside Rod Laver Arena 10 - 26 March Reduced speed limit outside Rod Laver Arena 10 - 26 March |
| Punt Road |
Kerbside lane northbound at Swan Street - closed to through traffic - all traffic in this lane must turn left 8 March - 2 April Left turn lanes into Brunton Avenue closed 8 March - 2 April |
| Swan Street |
No stopping - tow-away restrictions (west of Punt Road) 11 - 26 March |
| Swan Street Bridge |
One westbound lane closed 8 - 26 March |
| Wellington Parade |
Restricted access to Brunton Avenue with one right turn lane removed 8 March - 2 April |
Jolimont district
The Jolimont Precinct includes the area surrounded by Jolimont Road, Jolimont Street, Jolimont Terrace and Wellington Parade South. Vehicle access will be restricted to local residents, businesses and official Commonwealth Games vehicles. Existing parking restrictions will be altered with some sections changed to No stopping - tow-away zone. Access to this area will be controlled by a security check point and only vehicles displaying a permit or that have business in the area will be permitted to enter. These arrangements will be in place from Monday 13 to Monday 27 March.
| Agnes Street |
Will operate one-way northbound only (currently operates one-way southbound) |
| Jolimont Lane |
One-way traffic northbound |
| Jolimont Road |
Restricted access from Wellington Parade |
| Jolimont Street |
Will operate one-way eastbound only |
| Jolimont Terrace |
Will operate one-way northbound only |
Parking restrictions
Timed parking restrictions will be strictly enforced in the area bounded by Victoria Parade, Hoddle Street / Punt Road, Alexandra Avenue, Swan Street, Batman Avenue, Flinders Street, Wellington Parade and Lansdowne Street. Vehicles contravening these restrictions risk being towed away. Recovery costs will be incurred. Residential Permit Parking arrangements that exist prior to the Games will remain in operation during the Games. However, permit holders will still need to comply with temporary parking restrictions that will be in place particularly with regard to the Road Events.
Venue transport arrangements
| Facility | Available access |
| Parking |
No public parking |
| Public drop off / pick up |
Alexandra Avenue, south of Swan Street Bridge (except Sunday 26 March*) West side of Clarendon Street, north of George Street (except Saturday 25 until midday and Sunday 19 March*) |
| Accessible shuttle drop off / pick up |
Federation Square, Russell Street extension MCG - Jolimont Street RLA/MPV - coach park off Swan Street |
| Taxi ranks |
Alexandra Avenue, east of Swan Street Bridge (except Saturday 25 until midday and Sunday 26 March*) North side Wellington Parade, east of Lansdowne Street |
| Accessible taxi rank |
Jolimont Terrace |
| Hire car ranks |
Clarendon Street, north of George Street (except Sunday 19 March*) Alexandra Avenue, east of Swan Street Bridge (except Sunday 26 March*) |
| Charter coach drop off / pick up |
Drop off / pick up east side Batman Avenue outside Rod Laver Arena (not during PM 'clearway' times) Drop off / pick up south side of Wellington Parade between Powlett Street and Simpson Street |
| Charter coach parking |
Parking on south side of Wellington Parade between Clarendon Street and Jolimont Road Parking at Olympic Park car park (permit required for access. The permit application process will be communicated at a later date) Parking on Wellington Parade South between Flinders Street and Jolimont Road |
| Bicycle parking |
Yarra Park, west of Vale Street Gosch's Paddock |
*On this day there will be slight and temporary changes to these arrangements in consideration of Road Event requirements.
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