For Immediate Release – Sunday 30 August 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
South Australians force Government response on Park Lands tree loss
The Conservation Council of South Australia says sustained community pressure has secured an unprecedented nature positive investment in Adelaide's Park Lands, following widespread community concern over the loss of "hundreds of" trees associated with the proposed MotoGP circuit.
“Hundreds of trees will be lost, and that is a decision we never supported. We made it clear that this race should not be held within the Park Lands, and while that call was not heeded, community advocacy has secured a significant response that has secured commitments that could deliver a net positive outcome for nature over time" said Kirsty Bevan, CEO Conservation SA.
The Conservation Council said the Government's commitments, announced on Sunday August 30, represent one of the largest investments in Adelaide's Park Lands in living memory, secured through sustained campaigning by community groups, environmental organisations and the more than 1,470 South Australians who took part in the Conservation Council's recent Park Lands survey and demanded action.
"Our message was clear: if this development was going to proceed, it had to deliver meaningful and lasting environmental benefits for the people of South Australia," Ms Bevan said.
Through its advocacy, the Conservation Council pushed for:
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A commitment to replace trees at a ratio of 10:1 for every tree removed.
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The planting of mature replacement trees where significant trees are lost.
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Biodiverse revegetation at a ratio of up to 100:1 to strengthen biodiversity and improve the resilience of the Park Lands ecosystem.
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Additional funding dedicated to rewilding and revegetating the Park Lands, separate from direct project mitigation measures.
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The establishment of an independent Park Lands fund to provide ongoing investment in urban greening and create opportunities for community-led restoration projects.
"We made it clear that any funding could not simply be counted as compensation for tree removal. It needed to be additional, significant and focused on restoring nature right across the Park Lands," Ms Bevan said.
"Nothing excuses the loss of significant trees. However, once it became clear the project would proceed, we were determined to ensure the environmental response matched the scale of the impact and delivered lasting benefits for future generations."
The Conservation Council is also calling for an enduring fund for the Park Lands, including consideration of ongoing contributions from event profits or ticket sales, where these funds are channelled back into the community to achieve greater nature positive outcomes for the Park Lands.
"This outcome demonstrates the power of community action," Ms Bevan said.
"South Australians not only spoke up, they showed up for their Park Lands. While we remain deeply disappointed by the loss of significant trees, community action has secured commitments that will restore habitat, strengthen biodiversity and improve Adelaide's urban environment for decades to come.
This sets an important benchmark for the environmental obligations governments should meet when development impacts nature. Where governments choose to proceed with developments that impact nature, there must be a commitment to deliver genuine benefits that go well beyond simple offsetting."
Quotes from Foundation SA CEO – Sophie Doyle
"The announcement today recognises that community-led decision-making is at the heart of climate action. The South Australian Climate & Nature Fund was launched by Foundation SA to shift decision-making power to community.
The State Government's investment in this fund reinforces their support of this model, and we look forward to working alongside our community-led Stewardship Committee to ensure this funding delivers real, lasting benefit for the Parklands and for nature across South Australia.”
Quotes from Trees for Life CEO – Jessica McKelson
“For more than 44 years, Trees For Life has combined biodiversity expertise with community-led action to build and conserve native habitat across South Australia, delivering more than 35 million native seedlings and supporting habitat recovery across the State. Through the Tree Scheme program, we have empowered volunteers, communities and landholders to take direct action for nature. This investment will enable Trees For Life to double our annual seedling growing capacity, delivering up to 1 million native plants over the next two years. Alongside our long-standing partnership with landholders through the Tree Scheme, we will work with the South Australian Government to supply seedlings for priority habitat restoration projects within the Adelaide Park Lands.
We believe all loss of native habitat is concerning, so this support will make a meaningful contribution to South Australia’s 30x30 biodiversity goals and empower people to be part of the solution- which is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting change for nature”
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