The Fight for Burswood Park: Why We Can't Let the V8 Supercars Track Happen

Voom voom!

Can you remember back to the election campaign? Roger Cook was sitting in a V8 racing car, flanked by Rita Saffioti and a stunned Hannah Beazley. Poor Hannah had no clue what was about to unfold. She just showed up, and then had to explain it to her electorate. Meanwhile, Roger was grinning like a Cheshire cat with a bowlful of cream, telling us to imagine the noise and excitement. The Burswood Racetrack was going to be thrilling, or so we were told.

The Backlash Begins

Then came the backlash. The noise? Not so popular with residents nearby or in surrounding suburbs. Well, except for the Deputy Premier, of course. After what can only be described as a faux public consultation, we suddenly had a Perth Entertainment and Sporting Precinct on our hands. But in the public's mind, it was still the Burswood Racetrack. There was no escaping that reality.

With a top-secret business plan, backed by figures from SuperCars, this project was supposed to generate millions of dollars for Western Australia. But was it really worth it?

The Media Frenzy

The daily news cycle was flooded with stories about the Burswood Racetrack. If you want to see the sheer volume of coverage, just check out the Latest News tab at the top of this site.

After the Environmental Protection Authority refused to evaluate the project—despite overwhelming public demand (do you see a pattern developing here?)—the government announced they would only release a summary of the business case. Talk about transparency, right?

A Name Change: A New Narrative?

Facing pressure again, on Sunday, 23 November, the government announced that this ill-conceived project would now be named Perth Park. So, no racetrack and no Burswood in the name. Problem solved, right? On the storyboards presented to the press, the racetrack was relegated to dot point five, with car racing coming after cycle racing and training.

Change the name, change the narrative. What's in a name? A lot, apparently.

The Community Speaks Out

The community has made its voice heard loud and clear. We care about our parkland. We want to protect our green spaces. The Save Burswood Park Alliance is working tirelessly to stop the Cook Labor Government's plan. We need to ensure that the project's impracticality and negative impacts are fully considered.

Why Parkland Matters

Parkland is not just a luxury; it's essential. It provides a space for families to gather, for kids to play, and for nature to thrive. When we pave over green spaces for a racetrack, we lose more than just grass. We lose a part of our community's identity.

The Economic Argument

Now, let's talk dollars and cents. The government claims this project will generate millions. But at what cost? The noise, the traffic, the disruption? We need to ask ourselves if this is really the best use of our resources.

The Environmental Impact

What about the environmental impact? The refusal of the Environmental Protection Authority to evaluate the project raises serious concerns. We can't ignore the potential harm to local wildlife and ecosystems.

The Future of Burswood Park

So, what does the future hold for Burswood Park? It’s up to us to decide. We must advocate for our parkland and ensure that our voices are heard.

Join the Movement

If you care about protecting Burswood Park, join the movement. Stay informed, spread the word, and let’s make sure our community remains a vibrant, green space for generations to come.

In conclusion, the fight for Burswood Park is about more than just a racetrack. It's about preserving our community, our environment, and our way of life. Let's not let this opportunity slip away. Together, we can make a difference.

---wix---