ADELAIDE PARK LANDS ASSOCIATION

Newsletter No. 124 — 8 June 2026

1. Yellow Ribbon Alliance FORMS TO STOP THE VIC PARK CHOP

“I think we have just demonstrated that support for the Adelaide Park Lands runs deep and wide through the South Australian community.” — Tim Jackson, Vice President, Adelaide Park Lands Association

On Saturday 6 June, King Rodney Park / Ityamai‑itpina (Park 15) became a sea of yellow as hundreds gathered to tie ribbons to trees marked for removal. The aim: to create a visible corridor of dissent from East Terrace to Wakefield Road, and from Fullarton Road to Bartels Road — a daily reminder of what is at stake.

This event also saw the formation of one of the broadest coalition of community organisations in recent history - all united to Stop the Chop and protect our environment, communities and public spaces from undemocratic and ill-conceived planning and development.

The following organisations supported the Stop the Chop (MotoGP):

2. What Is the Plan — and What Can You Do?

APLA will continue to oppose the destruction of the Park Lands for MotoGP. Our long‑term goal: by the 2030 State Election, every political party must be competing to protect the Park Lands.

Tie Yellow Ribbons

Keep adding ribbons around King Rodney Park and Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi. Retie or remove fallen ribbons responsibly.

Contact Your MPs

Find your local and Upper House MPs: https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/your-representatives (parliament.sa.gov.au in Bing)

Sign the Parliamentary Petition

A formal, paper‑only petition initiated by Councillors Patrick Maher and Kieran Snape.

Patrick Maher: https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/about-council/your-council/members/patrick-maher (cityofadelaide.com.au in Bing)

10,000 valid signatures legally compel an inquiry into Park Lands management.

3. Divided by Park Lands, United by Footy?

A light‑hearted moment: Premier Peter Malinauskas (Port supporter) appeared on the cover of Monty magazine. Our President Mat Mont (Crows supporter) couldn’t resist a playful comparison.

<div class="image-block"> <p><em>Insert image: Side‑by‑side magazine covers — Premier Malinauskas and Mat Mont</em></p> </div>

4. Know Your Park Lands: Bunya Pine, Banyan Tree & Moreton Bay Fig

<div class="image-block"> <p><em>Insert image: Moreton Bay Fig canopy — 1400px landscape</em></p> </div>

Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla)

The iconic “banyans” of Botanic Park / Tainmuntilla.

Features include:

  • immense spreading canopy

  • dramatic buttress roots

  • glossy evergreen leaves

  • lifespans over 150 years

Where to see them:

  • Botanic Park / Tainmuntilla

  • Possum Park / Pirltawardli (Park 1)

More info: https://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/know-your-plants-moreton-bay-fig (adelaide-parklands.asn.au in Bing) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_macrophylla (en.wikipedia.org in Bing)

The Misnamed “Banyan Pine” (Araucaria species)

Not a banyan at all — but a conifer.

Where to see them:

  • Adelaide Botanic Garden

  • Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi

  • Formal plantings across the Park Lands

Why the Confusion?

  1. Both were fashionable in the same era.

  2. Both grow into dramatic, iconic trees.

  3. Both were casually called “banyans.”

A Walk to Compare Them

  1. Start under the Moreton Bay Figs in Botanic Park.

  2. Walk into the Botanic Garden to see Araucarias.

  3. Continue to Victoria Park for more Araucarias.

5. Accidental Icon — By Mij Tanith

Mij Tanith recounts how she unexpectedly became a symbol of the movement after being arrested at Possum Park. Her story reflects the public’s frustration with:

  • the destruction of mature trees

  • lack of transparency

  • rushed legislation removing Council control

  • the $45 million MotoGP project

“This arrogance… has lit a fire in our bellies.”

6. Park Lands Poetry — A Piece of Work by Mij Tanith

(Poem preserved exactly as written.)

7. Resident Thinkers: Hope in the Time of Malinauskas

By Stewart Sweeney

A powerful reflection on the Park Lands as Adelaide’s democratic promise — and the threat posed by treating them as “available land” for deals, events, and development.

Hope, Sweeney argues, is not optimism but discipline — the organised refusal to accept the destruction of irreplaceable public land.

8. Shane Sody — A True Park Lands Champion

Former APLA President Shane Sody has stepped down due to health reasons after more than a decade of extraordinary service.

His legacy includes:

  • reshaping public understanding of the Park Lands

  • modernising APLA communications

  • cycling 20,000 km a year through the Park Lands

  • insisting on transparency and vigilance

A remarkable contribution to Adelaide’s civic life.

9. Yes, We Still Do Guided Walks

APLA continues to offer guided walks exploring:

  • biodiversity

  • Kaurna cultural history

  • wetlands and ecological restoration

  • colonial surveying

  • community stories

Book here: https://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/guided-walks (adelaide-parklands.asn.au in Bing)

<div class="image-block"> <p><em>Insert image: Guided Walk — King Rodney Park / Ityamai‑itpina (Park 15)</em></p> </div>

<div class="image-block"> <p><em>Insert image: Guided Walk — Brougham Gardens / Tantutittinga (Park 29)</em></p> </div>

<div class="image-block"> <p><em>Insert image: Guided Walk — Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama (Park 6)</em></p> </div>

<div class="image-block"> <p><em>Insert image: Guided Walk — G.S. Kingston Park / Wirrarninthi (Park 23)</em></p> </div>

10. No Lies — Just Statistics

MetricNumber“Ratbag extremists” at rallies & walks (May–June)6,000Signatures on Protect Possum Park Pete Petition (7 June)49,900Community organisations at Stop the Chop8