Federal environmental clearance gives Adelaide’s controversial MotoGP city-centre circuit a major boost as racing stars roll into town for a sneak peek.
Adelaide’s ambitious MotoGP street circuit has cleared another major hurdle, with the South Australian Government announcing federal environmental approval for the project just days after Phillip Island’s soggy farewell to the world championship.
Premier Peter Malinauskas delivered the news on Tuesday 27 October, as MotoGP Deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta arrived in the South Australian capital alongside Australian Moto2 star Senna Agius and Colombian sensation David Alonso to inspect the future home of the Australian Grand Prix.
The federal environmental decision means the redevelopment can proceed without further assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, provided specified environmental safeguards are met.
And with the inaugural Adelaide MotoGP scheduled for 12-14 November 2027, the clock is well and truly ticking.
“This is an important milestone for the Adelaide Circuit Redevelopment,” Malinauskas said, adding that community feedback would help shape the next stage of planning.
More than 6000 survey responses and 1000 written submissions were received during a three-week consultation period, with the impact on Adelaide’s famous Park Lands a major concern.
The government confirmed the circuit layout would remain unchanged, despite feedback calling for greater protection of mature trees and green spaces.
According to the latest figures, 377 trees will be removed, including 42 classified as significant, while another 88 will be transplanted. The government has promised to replace every removed tree at a ratio of 10 to one, resulting in at least 3393 additional trees across the Park Lands.
Gravel run-off areas will also be returned to grass between motorsport events, while the new pit and paddock hardstand will double as community sporting facilities, including basketball, tennis and pickleball courts.
For MotoGP fans, however, the big attraction remains the prospect of grand prix machinery blasting through the heart of Adelaide at speeds exceeding 340km/h along Dequetteville Terrace.
Ezpeleta, who joined Agius and Alonso for a tour of the proposed circuit and city attractions, welcomed the latest development.
“The EPBC approval is a significant milestone for the circuit development project and provides further confidence as preparations continue,” he said.
“The future of MotoGP is about bringing the sport closer to more people, and Adelaide gives us an incredible platform to do exactly that.”
The visiting delegation was also treated to a distinctly South Australian sightseeing itinerary, including the Adelaide Oval Roof Climb, Cleland Wildlife Park, Haigh’s Chocolates and the Stag Hotel.
The state government predicts the MotoGP and Supercars events will deliver a combined annual economic return exceeding $200 million, while the Australian Grand Prix will put Adelaide in front of a claimed global audience of more than 630 million.
South Australian Motor Sport Board boss Mark Warren said preparations were already gathering pace, with plans for fan zones, hospitality, entertainment and activities throughout the CBD.
“We are pleased to welcome MotoGP to South Australia this week to showcase what’s in store,” Warren said.
There’s still plenty of work to do before the world’s first MotoGP city street race becomes reality, but with federal environmental clearance secured, the circuit design locked in and pre-sale ticket registrations underway, Adelaide’s grand prix gamble has moved another significant step closer to the starting grid.
AMCN Deputy Editor Hamish Cooper was on hand at the Press Conference, with more details to come.
