Legal action lodged over SA government’s MotoGP circuit plans

In short: 

Federal court legal action has been lodged over the SA government's plans for a MotoGP circuit in Adelaide CBD.

Designs for the $96 million street circuit, which will require the removal of nearly 400 trees from the eastern parklands, were released in August.

What's next?

The state's attorney-general has acknowledged the application and said the government would defend its position.

Legal action has been lodged over the South Australian government's plans for a MotoGP circuit in the Adelaide CBD.

Documents filed with the Federal Court on September 18 showed the case has been brought by Joshua Hogan against the state of South Australia.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the government would defend its position.

"The South Australian government is aware of the application in the Federal Court seeking an urgent injunction in relation to the works associated with the MotoGP," he said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

"The Crown Solicitor's Office is currently considering the application, including the orders sought and the grounds on which they are sought.

"The government intends to defend its position and will respond through the appropriate court process."

Designs for the $96 million street circuit, which will require the removal of nearly 400 trees from the eastern parklands, were released in August.

A period of community consultation ended on Sunday, with construction of the track due to begin in December.

A separate, unrelated Federal Court case, aiming to stop the controversial North Adelaide Golf Course redevelopment, is still underway.

In that case, applicants Edwin Kemp Attrill and Janette Milera have argued the state government should have referred the redevelopment to federal environment minister Murray Watt.

The Crown Solicitor has refuted their stance, claiming it was not necessary because the development did not alter the key attributes of the parklands.