Protest

I’ve never in my life felt the need to join a public protest, but today I did. I was part of a big crowd outside Parliament House, hoping to persuade Premier Roger Cook to think again about building a Motorplex in the beautiful parkland between us and the river.

It was a sunny morning and I managed to get a lift with a neighbour. The police were in attendance, but not required to do anything. Basil Zempilas, Liberal leader, was there and some of the Greens, but neither Roger Cook nor Rita Saffioti were brave enough to show their face.

A stroke of genius by the organisers was to play a loud recording of what supercars sound like when revving their engines and racing round the track. They even handed out ear protectors for anyone who wanted them.

The press were out in force from all the major TV stations:


Even a hound was there:

More information about the protest group here:

“The Save Burswood Park Coalition (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16SJFTpM3K/?mibextid=wwXIfr) was formed as the WA government are secretly fast tracking the construction of the Burswood Motor Racing Circuit without any governance – no business case, no environmental plan, no noise management plan and no community consultation and yet the Feasibility study is complete, funding is confirmed (June Budget) and implementation commences July 1 (with tenders already gone out!). Sold to the public as an election mandate - did you vote for the MotorPlex?

The proposed ‘Street Circuit’ is not a street! It is all new permanent racetrack with the complete destruction of Burswood Park, and makes no sense on any grounds – economical, environmental, health and safety, nor community and social. 

Given our community backlash, the Cook Government rhetoric has shifted from a 'Motorised Street Circuit' to a 'Sport and Entertainment Precinct'. Their new plan is deceiving - the track is almost invisible on their new map, and none of the required racing infrastructure is shown. But don't be fooled, all the cost and all the destruction is the racetrack, with the Amphitheatre always part of the community-consulted Burwood Park board 20-year vision and master plan”.

The speakers were hopeful that the Libs and Greens and minor parties together can defeat the project in Parliament. At worst they can shine a light on the government’s plans and obtain a delay.

Surely W.A. could better spend $217 million on improving the Health Service and reducing the elective surgery backlog.

The extent of the popularity of Super V8 motor racing is not known.  Numbers of ticket sales are kept secret. We suspect that they are actually declining. Planning for the Motorplex apparently began last year (even consulting with racing drivers from the Eastern States).

When I got home, I went for a coffee at Darrens and was surprised to see lots of people sitting there unconcerned. They should have been at the protest. Still, we did our best!