South Australia cites earlier parklands projects in MotoGP assessment

South Australia’s government has argued that earlier infrastructure projects in Adelaide’s parklands set a precedent for the proposed MotoGP circuit. In a submission to the Commonwealth, the government cited the O-Bahn tunnel, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and a south parklands stormwater project. It said those works were assessed under federal conservation laws and were not classed as “controlled actions”.

The government’s submission said the circuit would largely upgrade existing infrastructure and was unlikely to significantly affect the parklands’ environmental or heritage values. It acknowledged that construction and race events could temporarily disturb the grey-headed flying fox, a threatened species in the project area, and reduce potential foraging areas. However, it said the impacts would be localised and would not affect roosting sites or critical habitat.

The government has referred the plans to the Commonwealth for assessment, although Premier Peter Malinauskas previously said expert advice indicated that a referral was not required. He said the referral was intended to reduce the risk of delays caused by legal challenges, with the project needing to be completed by November 2027. Public consultation on the submission has closed and the federal assessment is pending.

The report considered infrastructure, landscaping and associated works, but not event operations such as the race, concerts, spectator facilities and temporary structures. The plans face legal scrutiny. A separate Federal Court challenge is developing, while a judge recently ruled that the North Adelaide Golf Course redevelopment did not meet the threshold for a controlled action.