by Shane Sody
All politicians know how to count. No politician can get elected without getting sufficient numbers of supporters and voters.
Likewise, any successful politician knows how important it is, to respond to people who are advocating in sufficient numbers.
It follows, therefore, that your Adelaide Park Lands WOULD be protected, if (or when) a sufficient number of people were to demand that protection. However, to judge from the State Government’s series of Park Lands attacks in recent years, the Government is not yet convinced that a sufficient number of people ARE demanding protection for your Park Lands.
As we have reported elsewhere, the proposed re-development of the North Adelaide Golf Courses, within Possum Park / Pirltawardli (Park 1 of your Adelaide Park Lands) has raised concerns about the likely loss of hundreds, if not thousands, of this single Park’s estimated 9,000 trees.
That tragedy is likely to unfold, UNLESS Government MPs judge that they have misread the numbers; that the numbers are in favour of different action, a decision that might include Park Lands protection.
A petition, calling on the Premier to “Protect Possum Park” is rapidly gathering support. But will it get sufficient support before State Government bulldozers and chainsaws move in?
The petition website: https://www.change.org/p/protect-possum-park-pete
On 11 August, the petition had reached 2,992 supporters. How many signatures would it take to persuade the Premier to think again? Could your signature be the one that makes the crucial difference? Could your name on this petition be the one that tips the balance?
Many of those who’ve signed the petition have also left comments for the Premier, and they’re not happy:
“The Parklands of this city are our treasure. They are not to be frivolously altered for the sake of a strictly commercial venture. You've been a good Premier of this State, but this is a MAJOR mis-step. Please reconsider before it's too late.” - Ken, of Norwood.
“How does this plan to remove established trees help with the goal of increasing Adelaide’s tree canopy cover to 30%? How does it help to cool our urban areas? How does it help our native creatures? How does it help towards a sustainable future?” - Cherie
“Nature/ecology has a value, Peter Malinauskas, you cannot just wipe it out assuming it is of no value to us citizens! There are many other locations better suited for hosting LIV Golf - without detracting from our public access to parklands and without affecting our city's biodiversity, which are both so important for our peoples' mental health and our city's liveability.” - Pam
Not just a petition - there’s a survey too
Respondents to an on-line opinion poll have also expressed their displeasure over the unprecedented powers that the State Government has given itself to rip out an urban forest, and build over your Park Lands.
A survey with a single question about the controversial new North Adelaide Public Golf Course Act 2025 has found 92% of the first 300 respondents either “disapprove” or “strongly disapprove” of the legislation.
The survey question is posed in neutral terms; and includes (within the single question) quotes from the Premier, Peter Malinauskus, in support of the initiative. Nevertheless, the response has been very clear.
What is your opinion of theNorth Adelaide Public Golf Course Act 2025? Results from all 303 respondents as at 11 August 2025. The survey is still open: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/68BB867
Respondents were not asked for their names (only their postcodes) but after responding to the survey’s single question about the new legislation, there is an option to leave comments. Here’s a sample of the messages left:
“It is totally unforgiveable that such sweeping powers should be given to a single Minister. … This is appalling bullying”
“How dare they take our Park Lands then have the audacity to charge taxpaxers to fund the LIV development and restrict our access once it’s built. I thought we lived in a democracy …. I am absolutely furious that I was not consulted for my preferences.”
“Green Adelaide, part of a Government Department, is spending heaps of money to get more tree canopy into Adelaide to counteract Climate Change. This will smash their efforts.”
“It is devastating to lose all those mature habitat trees for parklands wildlife.”
“I can't believe the premier thinks this decision is sound in any way. It's disgusting.”
“Words fail me! I am appalled at the Government’s blatant disregard for our precious Parklands not to mention their careless disinterest in the importance of trees to urban biodiversity and our community’s health and well-being.”
“I'm appalled at my Party in Gov for doing this.”
“Cutting down old established trees and replacing them with seedlings no matter the number is not helpful in the slightest. … A seedling is a home to no one. And we all know there is zero ongoing monitoring about how many of those seedlings make it to maturity. “
“The fact that the minister has no restraint or considerations for public approval is against democratic principles. Chopping down mature trees and replacing them with seedlings makes a mockery of the greening of Adelaide.”
“I regularly photograph the habitats in that area. Competition among species for older growth hollows and spaces is already high. Removing old growth and replacing with seedlings will be catastrophic for the local biodiversity.”
There are, of course, a small minority of survey comments that put a different point of view:
“It seems clear that a golf course will be replaced with a golf course, and the quality and amenity will be improved.”
“Sick of the anti everything movement in Adelaide.”
Characterising APA as “anti everything” is one of the common myths that gets thrown at Park Lands supporters. Read the truth in our “Myth Buster #3”
You too can help Protect Possum Park and its thousands of trees:
The author of this article, Shane Sody, is the immediate Past President of the Adelaide Park Lands Association, and the editor of the semi-monthly newsletter, "Open Green Public".
Subscribe here.
https://adelaideparklands.m-pages.com/YWRrGW/adelaide-park-lands-assn-mailing
