MotoGP Circuit Plan for Adelaide Parklands Gains Government Support

The South Australian government has argued that major infrastructure projects, including the O-Bahn tunnel and the new Women's and Children's Hospital, have set a precedent for working on the Adelaide parklands, in its case for a proposed MotoGP circuit.

In a submission to the federal government, the state government said that the parklands have a long history of accommodating infrastructure works and major events, and that previous projects have been assessed under federal conservation laws and determined not to have a significant impact on the environment or heritage of the area.

Heritage and flying fox considerations

The government acknowledged that the MotoGP circuit would result in temporary disturbance during construction and when the event is held, and a loss of potential foraging areas for the grey-headed flying fox, a threatened species found in the project area.

"We've got a time problem," Mr Malinauskas said. "We've got to get all this done by November [2027], and so we are naturally concerned about what activist litigation might do if we follow the advice and stick with the self-assessment."

The report examined the infrastructure, landscape and works associated with the proposed circuit, but it did not look at event operations including the race itself, concerts, spectator facilities and temporary structures.

The assessment concluded that the MotoGP circuit is unlikely to result in significant impact on the environment or heritage of the parklands.

Public consultation and next steps

Public consultation on the submission closed on Friday, with the federal government's assessment now pending.