Hotly anticipated MotoGP park lands plans revealed
The Premier has released the maps for the MotoGP city circuit. Meanwhile, a motorcyclist has died at the Bend raceway.
Hundreds of trees will need to come down for the Adelaide Circuit slated to host MotoGP in the Adelaide Park lands, in a $96 million redevelopment the Premier says is backed by the Conservation Council.
Premier Peter Malinauskas today announced the works for the 4.13 kilometre, 15-corner Adelaide Circuit upgrade, which would revive elements of Adelaide’s 1980s Grand Prix track, and come with a $15 million environment-focussed package for the park lands.
It comes as SA Police confirmed a motorcyclist has died at Taliem Bend’s The Bend Motorsport Park after a crash on Sunday morning.
“Just before 11am today, Sunday 30 August, police and emergency services were called to a private racetrack at a motorsport event on Dukes Highway, Elwomple after reports of a crash,” a police spokesperson said.
“Sadly, one person has died and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”
The SA Road Racing Championship’s third round was held at the Bend Motorsport Park today.
The Premier was not aware of the Bend crash on Sunday morning, but said safety was a key priority, with current MotoGP Safety Advisor Loris Capirossi and five-time Supercars champion Mark Skaife involved in the designs.
“That independent regulator, in this case, the FIM [Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme] has very strict conditions and requirements, and their only consideration is safety, and they won’t approve it unless it’s safe,” Malinauskas said.
The MotoGP circuit is expected to require the removal of 377 trees, the government saying these trees are “either unregulated, invasive species, dead or in poor health”.
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The Premier said today there were currently 8,895 trees in the circuit precinct, and 95 per cent would remain “untouched” by the redevelopment.
A $15 million Adelaide Park Lands Nature Positive Package would also be delivered alongside the project, with funding including butterfly habitat restoration, support for the grey-headed flying fox and revitalising the River Torrens.
“We have worked in close collaboration with the Conservation Council to ensure this project delivers the best possible outcome for all South Australians who do, or who want to use our magnificent Park Lands,” Malinauskas said.
Conservation Council CEO Kirsty Bevan said today “this outcome demonstrates the power of community action”.
“Hundreds of trees will be lost, and that is a decision we never supported,” Bevan said.
“We made it clear that this race should not be held within the Park Lands, and while that call was not heeded, community advocacy has secured commitments that will deliver a net positive outcome for nature and the park lands over time.”
The announcement comes after staunch opposition to the project from the Adelaide Park Lands Association, which saw thousands march through Victoria Park last weekend, along with representatives from the city council, the Greens and the Liberal parties.
Each removed tree would be replaced on a ten-to-one basis, the government claiming this would create a net increase of at least 3,393 trees in the Adelaide Park Lands.
A pit building would also be temporary and moved further towards Fullarton Road, while the existing concrete hardstand in the centre of Victoria Park would be removed and returned to green space.
The replacement trees would be “mature stock, ranging from 45 litres to 200 litres” and there would be 123,000 new understorey plantings.
The circuit would also impact protected grassland in Victoria Park that was laid in 2011, the Premier said the grassland area would be fully replaced and expanded by a further 180 square metres.
Before (February plans):
Stay informed, daily
After (August design):
When a preliminary map was published by the Premier in February, concerns were raised about the impact on butterfly habitats and the Glover playground.
The new design released today preserves the Glover Playspace on the corner of East Terrace and Wakefield Street.
It also keeps an avenue of significant gum trees along Wakefield Road, which would have been felled in the February plans.
The plans will also be referred to the Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt to determine if further approvals are needed, “to minimise the risk of legal cost and delay”.
It comes after a court case was brought by park lands protesters to argue the North Adelaide Golf Course redevelopment plans should have been referred to Watt.
Festivals, TDU to benefit, govt says
Malinauskas said the track, called the Adelaide Circuit, would be used for MotoGP Grand Prix 2027, the bp Adelaide Grand Final and the Santos Tour Down Under Classic, which was due to return to the city from 2028.
Tour Down Under race director Stuart O’Grady said the Classic was a “much-loved” part of the event and fans would be eager to see it back in the city.
“The TDU was born back in 1999 out of the departure of the Formula One Grand Prix, so it’s exciting to have cycling on the track that will now also be used for the Australian MotoGP,” O’Grady said.
The circuit would also “deliver significant enhancements” to other park lands events including Adelaide Fringe hubs Gluttony and the Garden of Unearthly Delights, the Premier said.
Gluttony co-director Daniel Michael and Garden co-director Michelle Buxton both welcomed the plans, Michael saying the project’s infrastructure upgrades would make it “easier” to run venues with air-conditioning and other services.
The Adelaide Equestrian Festival was also said to benefit from a purpose-built water jump in Victoria Park.
MotoGP bikes will hit speeds of 340 kilometres per hour along Dequetteville Terrace, and supercars would top 275 kilometres per hour.
Elements of the F1 track from the 1980s include Stag Corner, Rundle Road and Brewery Bend, which the government said it would revive.
Big Easy hospitality group managing director Oliver Brown, who co-owns the Stag and Tarantinos on East Terrace said: “it’s going to be awesome”.
“To have Stag Corner reborn and our city beamed to hundreds of millions across the world will be incredible for Adelaide and South Australia,” Brown said.
The plans are open for public consultation until Sunday, September 20. Construction is due to begin in December.
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