Reimagine Victoria Park

A group of concerned citizens got together in 2020 to campaign for the removal of the Adelaide 500-car race from Victoria Park /Pakapakanthi (Park 16). Of particular concern to the group was the impact that the race had on the amenity of Victoria Park locking up, as it did, approximately 30 hectares of the park for 5 months each year.

Within a few weeks of convening, the group was delighted to hear the Premier, Steven Marshall announce that the SA Tourism Commission had withdrawn its support and the race would no longer be held. However, just a week later, Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas pledged he would revive the race if Labor was returned to office at the next State election.

There is a petition urging Mr Maliunauskas to re-think. If you haven’t already, please sign the petition! https://www.change.org/p/peter-malinauskas-don-t-bring-fossil-fuel-racing-cars-back-to-a-clean-park

The residents group “Reimagine Victoria Park” has two main objectives:
1. Have Labor rethink its outrageously outmoded idea to revive the Adelaide 500 V8 car race, and
2. Pressure the Government and Adelaide City Council to make good the northern end of Victoria Park. The remaining Adelaide 500 race infrastructure detracts from what should be an "Open, Green, Public" space.

WHY?

The plan by Labor to revive the Adelaide 500 V8 race if returned to government is totally out step with the need for Australia to dramatically reduce its carbon emissions from fossil fuels and internal combustion engines. Australian vehicles keep using more and more fossil fuel, not less.

V8 cars are contributing disproportionately to the upward trend in CO2 emissions levels in the Australian transport sector.

To revive the V8 race, and in so doing promote high CO2 emitting vehicles, would be environmentally reckless and unacceptable. It would also be out of step with rapidly evolving international trends to transition from internal combustion to electric vehicles. Volvo, for example, will convert its entire production line to battery powered vehicles by 2030. Similar plans have been made by larger rivals like General Motors and Ford.

To lock up 30 hectares of Victoria Park again for several months each year to accommodate a 4-day car race would have inevitable detrimental consequences for the health and well-being of Adelaidians.

After the State Government’s decision not to renew the Adelaide 500-car race contract, restoration of the northern section of the Park should be a priority for the Government and Adelaide City Council.

Victoria Park is the largest jewel in the crown of Adelaide's unique, internationally-acclaimed Park Lands. The extensive imprint left by the race (track, subsidiary roads, and extensive pit-lane area) is, however, encroaching significantly on the green space and amenity of the area and leaves the crown jewel looking more like a piece of cheap costume jewellery.

Adelaide ranks second lowest among Australian capital cities in the amount of urban green space available per person.

With careful community consultation and expert design, your Victoria Park could become one of the world's premier city parks contributing positively to its citizens' long-term health and well-being.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Start by following the “Reimagine Victoria Park” Facebook page.

“Reimagine Victoria Park” volunteers have written to:

• the Premier, Steven Marshall;

• Adelaide Lord Mayor, Sandy Verschoor;

• the Adelaide Park Lands Authority;

• the Events Advisory Group;

• the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Malinauskas; and

• the Labor candidate for the seat of Adelaide.

We invite you to do the same.

Or, contact one of these volunteers (below) us to receive copies of their letters, tips on writing your own letter, or to support their campaign in other ways.

• Paul Henderson - hendersonpauld@gmail.com

• Doug McEvoy - dougmcevoy@hotmail.com

• Elizabeth Rushbrook - itqueen@bigpond.com

• Ted Jennings - tedjennings@adam.com.au

• Rose Wight - rosewight@bigpond.com

And, if you haven’t already, please sign the petition! https://www.change.org/p/peter-malinauskas-don-t-bring-fossil-fuel-racing-cars-back-to-a-clean-park