The City of Adelaide’s council is convening a secret meeting to address growing concerns about the potential impacts of the upcoming 2027 MotoGP circuit on the city’s park lands. Led by Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith, this additional meeting follows recent rumors and a leaked draft map of the proposed track.
The leaked document, which has not been officially verified, suggests that the track could cut through the eastern park lands, affecting hundreds of trees, including those in a heritage-listed olive grove and near a butterfly conservation area in Victoria Park. The state government has previously acknowledged that at least 45 trees would be removed during the track’s construction.
The Leaked Draft Map and Its Implications
The draft map, which has been circulating among politicians and media outlets, is marked as ‘OFFICIAL Sensitive – SA Cabinet.’ While its authenticity remains unconfirmed, the map shows a track that would significantly alter the park lands. The proposed route raises concerns about the loss of green spaces and the impact on local wildlife habitats.
Premier Peter Malinauskas addressed the leaked document at a press conference, stating that the broad outline of the track was released in February. He mentioned that there have been around 25 different iterations of the track design as the team works to minimize tree loss. The final design is expected to be released for public consultation within the next four to six weeks.
Community and Political Reactions
The leaked map has sparked reactions from various quarters. SA Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn emphasized that the park lands belong to everyone and called for the government to release the official design to end speculation. She also highlighted that the community was promised consultation on the track design starting in July.
Mat Monti, president of the Adelaide Park Lands Association, expressed disappointment that a map had not been made public earlier. He stated that if the leaked map is accurate, it would be a serious blow to the park lands. The association advocates for the preservation of these green spaces and the involvement of the community in decision-making processes.
The state government has promised to unveil the official map within weeks, with the aim of completing the track by. The upcoming public consultation will be a crucial step in addressing the concerns raised by the community and ensuring that the track’s design minimizes its impact on the park lands.
