Thilina Gunasekara
MYTH BUSTER: Olives are a declared pest, so why ...

Wild olives can be environmental weeds. But that doesn’t make Adelaide’s historic, managed olive groves disposable. 

The 1872 grove in King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina (Park 15) is threatened by the proposed MotoGP circuit. 

But, we can control invasive olives and protect our living heritage. 

MYTH BUSTER: Olives are a declared pest, so why preserve the Park Lands olive groves?
Thilina Gunasekara
Dorothy Dunne: Nearly 80 and Still Fighting for ...

Meet Dorothy Dunne — APA’s Membership Officer, lifelong nature lover and passionate Park Lands advocate. 

From growing up beside Crown land to guerrilla planting, Trees for Life and years of activism, Dorothy has never been afraid to speak her mind. Now approaching 80, she remains as passionate as ever about protecting the Park Lands as free, peaceful public spaces for everyone. 

Meet one of our essential Park Lands warriors. 

Dorothy Dunne: Nearly 80 and Still Fighting for your Park Lands
Thilina Gunasekara
​​​Have your say on the proposed MotoGP circuit

The State Government is consulting on its proposed MotoGP circuit in Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi — including permanent construction and the removal of more than 400 trees.

Submissions close 11.59 pm, Sunday 20 September.

We’ve put together a simple guide on how to make a submission, what you might raise, and a template to help you get started.

Find out how to have your say.

​​​Have your say on the proposed MotoGP circuit
Thilina Gunasekara
Adelaide's Park Lands Keep the City Moving

The Adelaide Park Lands aren’t just green space – they’re a vital part of how students, workers and recreational cyclists get around our city. 

Kadaltilla / Adelaide Park Lands Authority says the Park Lands provide around 59 kilometres of continuous walking and cycling paths, connecting major precincts through routes including the Adelaide Park Lands Trail and River Torrens Linear Park. 

And there’s an economic benefit too. Walking and cycling in the Park Lands generates an estimated $196 million in annual economic value, through direct health, transport and environmental benefits. 

As Bike Adelaide Chair David Elliott writes, safe, connected Park Lands paths are critical to cycling in Adelaide – and to keeping our city moving. 

Adelaide's Park Lands Keep the City Moving
Thilina Gunasekara
Secret State: It Took a Court Case to Reveal ...

It took a Federal Court case to find out what the State Government is actually planning for John E. Brown Park. 

A two-storey driving range, 108 car parks, up to 400 metres of netting, an 18-hole mini-golf course, retail facilities, new roads, water tanks and other infrastructure — all on public Park Lands. 

These are significant changes, yet despite repeated questions, the community has had no meaningful opportunity to see or comment on the plans. 

Why did it take a court case for South Australians to find out what is being proposed for their Park Lands? 

Secret State: It Took a Court Case to Reveal Plans for John E. Brown Park

Outdoor adventurer

Outdoor adventurer

We love interviewing people who enjoy frequenting your Park Lands.

This time in the hot-seat is Sue O’Brien who has an interesting background. She’s an outdoor educator and guide, a maker and repairer of outdoor gear, and a keen cyclist and hiker. We pinned her down long enough to find out what motivates her.

Purple pain?

Purple pain?

Do jacaranda trees suck?

According to Adelaide pollination ecologist and educator Bianca Amato, they do. She believes the well-loved trees, though pretty, are “ecological dead zones”.

Meanwhile, plane trees have also come under attack interstate, with Sydney’s city council phasing out their use across its streets and parks. Environmentalist Tim Flannery has labelled the species “about as much use to our wildlife as concrete posts”. Could the same happen here?

Motor racing near wetland?

Motor racing near wetland?

Park lovers have questioned why the State Government chose to return the Adelaide 500 car race to Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) after award-winning biodiversity wetlands were created there.  

Birds and other wildlife have proliferated in the area since the $13 million, 3.2-hectare wetland was opened in the southern part of the Park in 2022.