MOTOR RACING DOES NOT BELONG IN A PUBLIC PARK

Albert Park has been severely and adversely affected in many ways by the annual staging there, since 1996, of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. Permanent race infrastructure, (the Pit Buildings and vehicle underpasses for example), has no place in a park. Park roads, purpose-built for Formula One racing, have proved dangerous for normal traffic. Park layout and landscaping are constrained by race requirements; large areas must be left treeless to accommodate GP infrastructure and track run-offs and the west side of the Park is broken up by an unattractive network of asphalt Grand Prix service roads.

The decision to use Albert Park for motor racing altered the previously-planned renovation of Albert Park; one result was the destruction of hundreds of mature trees and damage to many remaining trees. The annual installation and removal of temporary race infrastructure, followed by renovation of damaged/destroyed grass surfaces, occupies over four months of summer and autumn in the Park. During most of this period, a large part of the Park is unavailable, or unpleasant and sometimes hazardous for users. Some damaged areas never recover fully and remain unsightly all year round.

To Be Updated Shortly