SA premier defends MotoGP tree removals with almost 400 now slated for chop

SA Premier Peter Malinaukas has rejected claims he misled the public over the number of trees to be felled in Adelaide's east parklands to make way for a new city motorsport track.

Plans for the 4.13-kilometre circuit were released by the state government on Sunday, and will require new track to be laid in Victoria Park, cutting through the parklands between Wakefield Road and Rundle Road.

The project means 400 trees will be removed, including 42 significant trees and follows almost 600 trees being removed to make way for the North Adelaide Golf Course redevelopment.

Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn said while the Liberals supported the government securing the MotoGP event, it was concerned about transparency before the state election. 

She said it was "somewhat true" the premier had won a mandate for the project but it was "worthwhile reflecting as to whether people would have changed their vote if they knew it was 400 trees".

"Before the election we had the premier saying that it would be about 45 trees and now we know that that number has increased tenfold to 400," Ms Hurn said. 

Mr Malinauskas denied he was misleading the public with his original claim. 

"I simply recited what I was being told, and then we made clear that 45 number was significant trees, and of course now it's 42 significant trees on the plan," he said. 

Differing views on environmental impact

When the premier first announced the MotoGP was coming to Adelaide from Phillip Island, he said the number of trees to be removed sat "at around about 45".

That later became almost 400 trees, including at least 42 significant trees. Another 88 other trees will be relocated. 

The premier said commissioned arborists considered those to be ones that "we can safely move without being at great risk to those trees".

For every removal, the government has said it will plant 10 more, some of which are "mature stock".

Greens MLC Melanie Selwood said the proposal would mean almost 900 trees would be removed as part of works for both the motorsport track and the North Adelaide Golf Course upgrade.

"We shouldn't be cutting down any significant trees in the middle of a climate crisis," Ms Selwood said.

"The trees are precious to so many people here in South Australia and the premier just has total disregard for what those trees mean to people."

President of the Adelaide Parklands Association Mat Monti said the organisation would continue to oppose the action, including relocating yellow ribbons tied to trees along Dequetteville Terrace to those that now slated for removal. 

They were critical of the length of the compulsory three-week public consultation, but have encouraged supporters to participate.

"What we're hoping and what we're calling on the government to do is listen to this consultation," they said. 

"If the consultation is overwhelmingly negative, it might be time that the state government paused and actually thought about whether they're doing the right thing."

The government has attached $15 million in funding projects to what it has called "nature positive" upgrades for the parklands, a plan formulated with the Conservation Council of SA. 

The peak environment organisation opposed the removal of trees but proposed actions to the government to lessen the environmental impact.

"I've not seen in my history this level of investment, particularly in nature and biodiversity outcomes within our cityscape of this scale. 15 million [dollars] is incredible," said its CEO Kirsty Bevan.

"I'm still deeply saddened by the loss of 42 significant trees which is going to change the look of our parklands absolutely."

Concerns about cost and track plans

Bob Barnard, the designer of the original track used for Formula One racing in the 80s and 90s, previously suggested the new circuit would cost in the vicinity of $100 million. 

Ms Hurn said that prediction had now proven accurate, with the track modification now costed at $96 million.

"The premier rejected that but we know that that's what South Australians will be forking out for the circuit alone," she said.

Costs for a new temporary pit building are yet to be confirmed.

Mr Barnard also designed the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit, which will lose MotoGP to Adelaide from next year.

He was critical of the new project, particularly the suggestion of the new track being labelled a street circuit. 

"The original Formula One track was a street circuit, you can't run a motorcycle track on a street circuit," Mr Barnard said. 

"This is a normal track that's built within the parklands, so you can call it what you like, but it's not a street track."

Around a third of the proposed track uses existing streets Rundle Road, Dequetteville Terrace and a segment of East Terrace, with the remainder to utilise new or existing track built on the Parklands.

The chief executive of the SA Motor Sport Board Mark Warren is appearing before a parliamentary committee today.