‘Takes guts’: Eminent South Australians rejecting govt plans
Government control of the park lands is just starting rather than ending despite calls to “pump the brakes”, according to Mike Smithson.
If the Premier’s feeling the heat over his supercharged MotoGP plans for Victoria Park, he’s certainly not showing it.
That comes as eminent people step forward to condemn his costings, benefits and the consultation period which the public has been allowed to raise concerns.
For Milazzo to put the time and effort into a detailed 15-page report, which contradicts the official cost benefits already publicly released, takes guts.
He is prepared to put his name and reputation up against the government in questioning who will benefit from the MotoGP extravaganza and, perhaps more importantly, who will lose out.
It’s commendable that he investigates the spin offs of such an event, in terms of lost time for commuters, businesses downturn not related to the event and, further afield, traffic congestion around the suburbs.
Premier Peter Malinauskas won’t back down from his stance, despite the depth and any ferocity which emerges from the public feedback which now has less than two weeks until shutoff.
At a Budget and Finance parliamentary hearing yesterday Transport Department CEO Jon Whelan was asked whether the full results of the consultation would ever be made public.
In other words, would any disclosure of the results be cherry picked to allow only the most favourable outcome?
Despite his department running the process, he diplomatically stated that it was above his pay grade and that was a matter for the Premier and cabinet.
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Sitting in on the hearing, it also made me wonder if the whole MotoGP process is undergoing all the checks and balances concerns raised by Milazzo.
Whelan stated, more than once, that time is of the essence in delivering the $96 million project in time for next year’s events in late November.
He’s an action man who appears to know one speed and that’s “full steam ahead.”
He’s also in charge of delivering the $15.4 billion dollar Torrens to Darlington project including the tunnels.
So, the park lands transformation, at only a fraction of the tunnel cost, is not his main game.
One of his comments stuck in my mind and also raised a laugh from the committee members.
When questioned on time frames, delivery and consultation periods, Whelan was quite deliberate in answering the big “what if?” question.
What happens to SA’s international reputation if work on the track, tree removal and other infrastructure doesn’t start and finish on time?
“Well, if it doesn’t, I won’t be sitting here next year telling you about it,” he joked.
That was an honest answer but gave everyone a sneak peek into the time pressure he is under to deliver these projects on time and on budget.
It seems we’ve come of an age where governments and others don’t blink at trampling on scared ground they once avoided.
Former Labor politicians, including past Premier Lynn Arnold, have voiced their grave concerns about Festival Tower and the golf course tree destruction.
Former Labor Attorney-General Chris Sumner is also a regular voice against current policies he sees as improper or inappropriate.
Former long-term Labor Minister Michael O’Brien has publicly raised concerns about MotoGP, telling the state government it is not too late to shift the race to The Bend.
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In the distant past, these luminaries may have diplomatically bitten their lip rather than criticise a Labor government which enjoys such an overwhelming mandate.
But venting their strong thoughts may fuel the Premier’s need to press ahead with his plans to grow South Australia on a national and global stage.
His push through approach almost thumbs his nose at the old brigade whom he respects for their political pedigree, rather than their forward thinking.
It doesn’t alter my view that state government control of the park lands is just starting rather than ending.
Environment Minister Emily Bourke was quickly on the front foot yesterday condemning an Adelaide City Council initiative for MotoGP feedback which appeared to be heavily weighted towards negative comment.
Council says it wants to prepare for the changes to its precious park lands.
The Premier has partially won over the Lord Mayor with his recent cash handouts to pick up the tab for park lands restoration, but others on council see that as a buyout.
Given Jon Whelan’s comments, which he translates as a direct order to get cracking on with the project, the wheels will start turning quickly come December.
There will be a deliberate effort to get the dirty bitumen laying work done away from the public gaze and during the night.
That’s been confirmed as a path of least disruption to the public, especially commuters.
Concerned, insomnia suffering residents living nearby may take a different view.
Significant tree removal will also be done when there is least public impact, for obvious reasons.
I hear the concerns loud and clear but have little doubt that anything will stand in the way of the planned progress.
We will never know of the many meetings and instructions which are sternly delivered behind closed doors.
Having read and heard the comments from experts such as Andrew Milazzo and Jon Whelan, I’m now more convinced than ever that views on this forever infrastructure are still poles apart and will continue to be so.
Mike Smithson is weekend newsreader and political analyst for 7News.
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