What is the Save Burswood Park Alliance?
WHO?
We are a community group that formed when the Cook Labor Government made a pre-election announcement that it would locate a V8 Supercars race track on the Burswood Peninsula. This would involve the use of some existing roads and the creation of other new roads within the existing parkland.
WHAT?
When the original announcement was made the only item listed for consideration was a much heralded 'street circuit' with lots of noise, colour and publicity. As the public became more aware of the proposal and the inevitable push back arrived it was rebranded as an Entertainment and Sporting Precinct. By the time that the claimed to be 'public consultation' (which then became drop in sessions) was completed there was no mention of a race track merely sports facilities.
WHEN?
The pre-election commitment was made for a Perth street race in 2027. Given all the obstacles this project faces such a timeline would be regarded as ambitious not to say heroic. Any delays that the Save Burswood Park Alliance can make will ensure that this government is given ample opportunity to consider the folly of its decision to proceed.
WHERE?
The location of the 'street circuit' could hardly be more unsuitable than the chosen site. Comment is often made that this was forty years ago a rubbish site. There is no mention of First Nations cultural heritage. Additionally because of the nature of the landfill the sub-strata is filled with rusting car bodies, asbestos and oozes mud with a consistency somewhere between toothpaste and jelly. Stabilising this site will be a major feat of engineering.
WHY?
The official government line is that this is to create 'economic diversity'. In a mining state creating such diversity is not difficult however more creative thinking is required than pouring tons of concrete over established parkland. It seems the Cook government has fallen for the Supercars sales pitch with their 'creative' facts and figures. Senior Ministers have been blinded by the cheque and should know better.
HOW?
The 'How' will be the interesting part of this project. There is zero chance that this will come in on time and in budget. Just wait for the spin. There is absolutely no need for this project and the damage that the Labor Party is doing is akin to shooting itself in the foot.
A message to our campaign from Dr Christine Everingham who succeeded in ending the Newcastle Supercars event. Her book "Wrong Track: What Drove Supercars to Newcastle" exposes the dirty tricks used by the industry.