by Shane Sody
Plans are being drawn up for five hundred new trees to be planted, next autumn, in Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16).
A so-called “Master Plan” for this Park, endorsed in 2024, had to be compromised by State Government insistence that the Park must continue hosting, indefinitely, carbon-emission motor racing events, with the Park partially fenced-off for months every year.
Over the past two years, the SA Government’s Motor Sport Board has refused to contemplate any other location for its annual months-long Park takeover operations:
This means that the City Council is simply not allowed to plan for this Park AFTER the end of motor racing here.
Nevertheless, around the edges of the motor racing circuit, proposed tree planting is set to be undertaken in April and May next year (2026) to: “increase shade and amenity, expand canopy cover, and strengthen habitat and food sources for native fauna.”
Locations:
1) Additional tree planting to new pedestrian pathways
2) Pocket/biodiversity planting along western edge
3) New trees in open turf areas (at strategic locations)
4) Extend the Conservation Zone to the east of the current Protected Conservation Zone
5) Temporary greening opportunities during event mode
6) Expanded tree canopy at the existing mound
7) Understorey planting on Fullarton Road edge.
Image: City of Adelaide Master Plan for Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) June 2024
During its meeting on 18 September 2025, Kadaltilla / the Park Lands Authority was advised that about 500 trees (a mix of native and non-native species) would be planted in these seven identified areas. Species selected include River Red Gum, South Australian Blue Gum, Norfolk Island Pine, Grey Box, Kurrajong, Dragon Tree, Bottle Tree, Claret Ash, and London Plane.
Funding for the tree planting has been secured in the current year’s City Council budget, but Kadaltilla was warned that the time-line for tree planting might be delayed. It is still “subject to the availability of tree stock and required CoA and / or volunteer resources.”
These plans for Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) are not related to current State Government plans to destroy hundreds, if not thousands of trees in Possum Park / Pirltawardli (Park 1) to “re-develop” an elite-level golf course.
Separately, on 18 September 2025, Kadaltilla was also advised that a former, disused playing field on the eastern side of the Park would be reinstated over the next few months, before the end of 2025.
Additional components of the Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi “Master Plan” are described as:
“Consolidate, Complete and Strengthen the Path Hierarchy”
“Strengthen the Neighbourhood Connections”
“Reveal the Narrative of Pre and Post-Colonial History”
“Reconnect the Grandstand”
“Reveal and Reconnect the Water”
“A Park for Year Round Activation”
“A Smart Park”
However, these additional components are subject to securing funding in future years.
You can see the the Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi “Master Plan” at THIS LINK.
