Adelaide residents weigh in on MotoGP parklands redevelopment

In the northern suburb of Salisbury, residents are weighing in on the proposed MotoGP parklands redevelopment, which will see nearly 400 trees removed to make way for a new circuit. While some may assume that those living outside the city centre are apathetic to the plans, locals in Salisbury have expressed a range of opinions on the issue.

“No need for that, they can do better things with their money than cut trees down,” Lucy Cunningham said, as she made her way down John Street. “We should be planting trees, not chopping them down,” Dave added, echoing Cunningham’s sentiments.

Others, like Abdullah, waiting at the Salisbury train station, had a more measured response. “Racing is, like a culture. I think it’s making people happy, smile.” But he also expressed concerns about the tree removal, saying “But chopping trees down for no reason is not good, but if there is a good reason behind it, then why not?”

Not everyone shares these concerns, however. Brendan Truman, a Salisbury North resident, is thrilled to have the MotoGP in Adelaide. “I used to go to Phillip Island all the time”, he said. He is not upset about the trees being chopped down, saying “Well, you gotta make progress, that’s the way it is.”

Divided opinions in other suburbs

In Hallett Cove, a beachside suburb of Adelaide, locals also have mixed feelings about the city’s upcoming sporting events and the redevelopment needed to host them. Kathleen Hill, a Hallett Cove resident, said “I think it’s a really good thing.” The state government has committed to replacing trees in the eastern parklands on a 10-to-1 basis, which alleviates her concerns.

“I don’t have concerns about (the tree loss)”, Kathleen said. “I think this state is very, very good about making up for that by planting lots of new trees.”

Benjamin Harris, another Hallett Cove resident, admitted he is not really interested in watching the MotoGP, but he is excited about what it means for South Australia. “It puts us on a national stage, an international stage,” he said.

However, Xavier Van Dyke Skinner is not a fan because of the trees that will be cut down. “I think people outside of the city should have an opinion on it I reckon, because, well it’s our wildlife we want to protect it as much as we can,” he said.

Protests and community engagement

The Adelaide Parklands Association is hosting Stop the Chop protests in different suburbs around Adelaide. The association’s president, Mat Monti, said there were plans to take the roadshow to suburbs further out, like Salisbury. “I’m meeting people who come from all the way up from Yankalilla to our rallies,” he said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was not surprised that people outside of the inner city suburbs had strong feelings about the redevelopment. “We’re doing something that is ambitious here,” he said. “When people learn that the state government is actively partnered with the Australian Conservation Council, to make sure that this project is nature positive, 10 for one tree replacement, investment in the parklands, native trees, greater prospects for growth around biodiversity then people will see that we’ve got the balance right here.”