Yes, we vote

by Shane Sody

As polling day of 21 March draws near, a growing number of South Australians have a simple message for all candidates and parties: “Yes, we will vote to Protect the Adelaide Park Lands.”

After completing one of our frequent “It’s Not Just a Golf Course” Guided Walks, many participants were ready and willing to declare: “I Vote to Protect Park Lands.”

What are the numbers?

The fate of Possum Park / Pirltawardli (Park 1 of your Adelaide Park Lands) and the Government’s proposals to destroy at least 585 trees for a golf course “re-development” is likely to play a crucial role in the electoral battle for the marginal seat of Adelaide, if not more widely in other parts of South Australia.

More than 4,200 people have so far signed the petition to “Protect Possum Park, Pete” calling on the Premier not to use the annual LIV Golf event as an excuse to “Pillage Possum Park”.

Up until 21 January, 1,036 of the petition signatories (24%) were within the marginal State electorate of Adelaide. (i.e. postcodes 5000, 5006, 5081 and 5082).

Similarly, there were (up to 21 January) 549 responses to our survey on the Government’s controversial golf course takeover legislation.

More than 91% of respondents (501 of them) registered “strong disapproval” of the legislation. Of those 501, a similar percentage (23%) were from the State electorate of Adelaide; held by Labor’s Lucy Hood.

A vote-changer?

Many of the comments from those signing the petition to “Protect Possum Park, Pete” or completing the 2-minute survey made it clear that the Government’s proposed attack on the urban forest of Possum Park would be a vote-changer for them:

“I am disappointed the South Australian Labor Party would even consider such an act of environmental vandalism. Come the next election I know who I will be putting LAST.” [Postcode: 5008]

“Please stop 'developing' our parklands, Premier Malinauskas. Your acts feel like death by a thousand cuts (death to biodiversity and to citizens' mental health).” [Postcode 5000]

“I voted for this Government to protect large trees but will never vote Labor again. [Postcode: 5049]

I'm very disappointed in the loss of trees this golf course development will incur. … I supported this government and expected better. My vote will definitely change next election due to this matter. [Postcode 5063]

“The Malininaukus govt is completely out of control… My parents were huge supporters of Don Dunstan and I followed in their principles of a decent Labor government…. I will not vote for the Labor party in the 2026 election ..and will strongly urge my friends & family to put them last.” [Postcode 5064]

“Unwarranted destruction of trees, misappropriation of power to make such an enactment, public assets stolen for pandering to the few for elite entertainment. … I will be unable to vote for you or your party in future.” [Postcode 5068]

“Historic trees shouldn't be removed. Protection of the Parklands should be a priority. …When Governments become too arrogant they need to be voted out.” [Postcode 5074]

“This is a vote changer for me. I’ll be putting Labor last.” [No Postcode provided]

“A short lived premier and a Govt should not be able to demolish parklands or misuse them and fell healthy trees that have outlived many such venal govts. … I voted Labor lifelong but this treatment of our parklands is a deal breaker for me as a voter” [Postcode 5000]

Come and see for yourself

Our Guided Walks, titled “It’s Not Just a golf course” are being offered at 5.45pm on multiple dates up until mid-March. Choose a date to come along. Book here:
https://events.humanitix.com/host/adel_park_lands

This two-and-a-half minute video, below, highlights “What You Stand to Lose”:

The author of this article, Shane Sody, was the President of the Adelaide Park Lands Association from 2107 to 2025 and remains the editor of the semi-monthly newsletter, "Open Green Public".

Subscribe here.

https://adelaideparklands.m-pages.com/YWRrGW/adelaide-park-lands-assn-mailing