Fresh calls for Melbourne to drop Grand Prix as organisers report another heavy loss.

As official documents reveal that this year's Australian Grand Prix cost Victoria taxpayers $61m AUD (£37.6m), there have been fresh calls from local environmentalists to give the race to New South Wales.

The annual report reveals that while costs dropped by 6%, revenue also fell leaving local taxpayers to pick up a bill not far short of 2015's record $61.7m AUD (£38.1m).

Last September, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews agreed a new deal which keeps F1 in Melbourne until 2023.

In a clear bid to taunt newly elected New South Wales Premier Mike Baird, who had previously revealed his intention to 'steal' the event for Sydney, Andrews revealed the new deal on Facebook.

"I'm sorry, Mike, but the Australian Formula One Grand Prix is here to stay," said Andrews in his video, "exactly where it belongs, in the great city of Melbourne.

"The good news is you and tens and thousands of others from New South Wales and right across Australia, indeed right across the world are more than welcome to come to Melbourne to be part of the great race," he added. "In fact, I'll even shout you a ticket."

Previously, Baird had made the Grand Prix part of his election manifesto, proposing a street circuit to include crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Hot on today's release of the official figures, which reports that taxpayers are covering around two in every three dollars it costs to host the event, the Victoria Greens were quick to suggest that Baird and New South Wales gets its wish.

"Victorians are sick of tens of millions being wasted on this event every year for the sake of a dwindling number of spectators," spokeswoman Sue Pennicuik told AAP. "If Mike Baird still wants the Grand Prix, Victoria should let NSW have it."