05/08/2026
The SA Motorsport Board has confirmed both the V8 Grand Final and the MotoGP will use the soon to be extended and upgraded track in the Adelaide Park Lands. This means for three to four months every year, large sections of the park, not previously fenced off, will be fenced off, occupied and made unusable - not for one event, but two, held only weeks apart, with months of construction and deconstruction.
The new track alignment would shift the long line of constructors' compounds from the eastern side of the park to the western side, "threatening to wipe out most community sports access for 4–5 months."
"None of the groups who rely on this park have been offered alternative spaces. Not one!
Dr Doug McEvoy AM Warns of the Social and Environmental Cost of a MotoGP in the Adelaide Park Lands
On Saturday, 25 July, Dr Doug McEvoy AM addressed a rally of concerned community members at Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi on behalf of the ‘South East City Residents Association’ (SECRA). The rally was jointly organised by SECRA, the Adelaide Park Lands Association and Butterfly Conservation South Australia.
Dr McEvoy opened by expressing SECRA’s deep concern over the Malinauskas Government’s proposal to stage a MotoGP Grand Prix in the Adelaide Park Lands.
“We have joined the campaign to stop this race because it is the wrong project, in the wrong place, pushed through in the wrong way.”
Community Consultation:
Dr McEvoy said the proposal did not arise from community demand and was not shaped through meaningful public consultation.
“It was announced just before an election with little opportunity for public scrutiny. Yet the Premier now claims the election result was a mandate for the MotoGP. Let’s be honest, that’s political theatre, not public consent. There has been no transparency about the costs, no genuine public debate, and no respect for the people who use and cherish these parklands.”
The Social Impact:
Dr McEvoy described Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi as one of Adelaide’s busiest and most valued public open spaces, not vacant land waiting to be redeveloped.
“Every day, and especially on weekends, thousands of people rely on this park for their physical, mental and social wellbeing.”
He highlighted the many groups that regularly use the park, including:
• East Adelaide Football Club players.
• Pashtun Cricket Club, with 12 teams playing T20 cricket each weekend.
• Dog owners using one of Adelaide’s few large off-leash areas.
• Hundreds of Parkrun participants every Saturday morning.
• Walkers, joggers, families and community groups.
• Visitors seeking peace and quiet around the wetlands.
“These are not fringe activities. They are the lifeblood of a healthy community.”
Proposed Changes:
According to Dr McEvoy, the proposal includes constructing a new 12-metre-wide racetrack through the southern section of Victoria Park wetlands, extending towards South Terrace.
He said the circuit would cross playing fields, pass through the central gardens and require tree removals before linking with the existing Supercars pit lane and exiting via Wakefield Street.
Dr McEvoy also noted that the SA Motorsport Board had confirmed both the Supercars Grand Final and the MotoGP would use the new track.
“That means for three to four months each year, large areas of the park would be fenced off and unavailable not for one event, but two, held only weeks apart, with months of construction and dismantling.”
He added that relocating the constructors’ compounds could significantly reduce access to community sporting facilities for four to five months annually.
“None of the groups who rely on this park have been offered alternative spaces. Not one.”
Environmental and Ecological Concerns:
Dr McEvoy also raised concerns about the proposal’s environmental impacts, including tree removal and noise affecting wildlife.
“We still don’t know how many trees would be removed. Government figures have suggested 45, while the City of Adelaide has estimated around 200. Any loss of mature trees in Pakapakanthi/Victoria Park reduces habitat, increases urban heat and weakens the ecological value of the park.”
He also highlighted the potential effects of noise.
NB: According to Dr McEvoy, MotoGP motorcycles can produce noise levels of around 130 decibels significantly louder than Supercars and the massive noise would carry across to local nearby homes, surrounding neighbourhoods and the grasslands and wetlands.
He warned this could disturb wildlife by disrupting communication, foraging and breeding behaviour, potentially affecting birds and other species, including the nearby butterfly conservation area.
“This is not just a weekend of noise. It is a direct assault on biodiversity.”!!!!
A Call for an Alternative:
In closing, Dr McEvoy saidSECRA believes the impacts on recreation, biodiversity and public open space are immediate and significant.
“A MotoGP track does not belong in the Adelaide Park Lands.”
“A government cannot claim a mandate when it never asked the public the question.”
“Adelaide should not sacrifice one of its most loved public spaces for a race that could be held elsewhere.”
“An alternative site must be found.”
