Council to fight WA Labor’s street circuit pledge earmarked for ‘jewel in Vic Park’s crown’

WA Labor’s election pledge to build a $217 million entertainment precinct and motorsports street circuit at Burswood Park has hit a speed bump, with the “blindsided” Victoria Park council moving to oppose the plan amid mounting community concern.

On Tuesday, the Town of Victoria Park council almost unanimously backed a motion spearheaded by Mayor Karen Vernon to formalise its disapproval of the plan and instruct the chief executive to take concerns about the proposal to Premier Roger Cook and other cabinet ministers.

A concept design of the Motorsports Street Circuit in Burswood pledged by WA Labor.

Labor unveiled plans to build the circuit in January, which would cover Victoria Park Drive, Roger MacKay Drive and Camfield Drive and be used to host major international motorsports, cycling and running events.

The development would also comprise grandstands and an outdoor amphitheatre, with Labor vowing to undertake works immediately after the March election to host the 2027 Supercars season.

But the town fears the construction of a circuit would negatively impact the Swan River and wetlands, resulting in a loss of tree canopy and wildlife habitat and generate noise, traffic congestion and odour and light pollution.

Vernon also claimed the Labor Party had failed to consult the community on the proposal, disclose a business case backing the construction of a motorplex in the location or the environmental impact.

It is understood more than 2000 residents have signed an online petition opposing the motorplex at the site, which is managed by a statutory authority.

During the council meeting, Vernon claimed she returned from a period of leave to news of the proposal, which she dubbed “disturbing” and “horrifying” and claimed came as a “terrible shock” to residents.

“I’ve spent many, many hours at Burswood Park over many years. It is undoubtedly a jewel in Victoria Park’s environmental crown,” she told the meeting.

“We can’t afford to lose it. We have a strategy aimed at enhancing the public open space that we already have.

“To put a street racing motor circuit in there will be piles asphalt taking up public space that would otherwise be ripe for planting an urban forest to enhance the existing tree canopy.

“A lot of people are perplexed as to why their government would make a suggestion that they would do something like this without the proper degree of consultation.

“For the town, we try to work closely with all of our stakeholders… we want to be able to see that land used for its highest value — it’s almost impossible for me to believe that a motoplex could be its highest and best value.”

A WA Labor spokesperson told WAtoday it intended to undertake comprehensive community consultation, which would include testing noise levels and implementing mitigation techniques as planning works continue.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti reiterated the government’s commitment to undertaking consultation and working with the community.

“We want to work with the community, we think this is going to be a great initiative for the state,” she said.

“We understand change is always challenging, but we’re very keen to work with the local community.”

Initial discussions about the Perth Street Circuit were publicised last year.

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