World · East Asia & Pacific · 4 hrs ago
Four trees felled in Adelaide parklands as MotoGP protests grow
Workers felled four trees in Adelaide’s parklands on Friday as part of preliminary water works linked to a proposed MotoGP circuit.
Protesters gathered behind temporary fencing in Victoria Park and Rymill Park, chanting “stop the chop” as police spoke with them.
The South Australian government says 377 trees are earmarked for removal to make way for the circuit, including 42 it considers significant.
It says the trees are invasive, dead or in poor health, and has pledged to replace those removed with mature trees at a rate of 10 to one.
More than 5,000 people have signed an open letter urging Premier Peter Malinauskas and the state government to protect the parklands; artists Paul Kelly and Sia are among its signatories.
Supporters say the trees matter to the city’s environment, culture and identity, while the premier has dismissed the letter.
The circuit is proposed for the 2027 MotoGP event, with Supercars due to race there two weekends later.
Four trees were felled in Adelaide’s Victoria and Rymill parks for preliminary water works linked to a proposed MotoGP street circuit.
Protesters gathered at the sites before sunrise on Friday, with police present as workers cut and removed trees.
The South Australian government plans to remove 377 trees for the circuit, including 42 considered significant.
Celebrities and other campaigners have urged the government to protect the parklands, while Premier Peter Malinauskas dismissed an open letter opposing the removals.
MotoGP is due to make its Adelaide debut in 12 months, with Supercars scheduled to race at the circuit two weekends later.
- Who
- Protesters opposed to the tree removals, the South Australian government and supporters of the proposed MotoGP circuit.
- What
- Four trees were felled for preliminary water works linked to the proposed circuit. Campaigners are urging the government to stop further removals.
- When
- Friday, November 13, 2026. The trees were felled by about 8am.
- Where
- Victoria Park and Rymill Park in Adelaide, South Australia.
- Why
- The government said the four trees were removed for preliminary water works. The wider removals are intended to facilitate a proposed MotoGP street circuit.
Parklands campaigners
South Australian government
Tree removals
Parklands campaigners
Campaigners say the removal of 377 old-growth trees should be stopped to protect the parklands, environment and cultural heritage.
South Australian government
The government says the trees are to be removed to facilitate the circuit and describes them as invasive, dead or in poor health.
Proposed circuit
Parklands campaigners
Campaigners say the project’s impact on the parklands is unacceptable and a better solution should be found.
South Australian government
The government is proceeding with plans for the MotoGP street circuit; it says the four trees felled were removed for preliminary water works.
The Lungs of the City campaign launched an open letter opposing the removal of 377 trees.
Demonstrators gathered at the parklands, and police spoke with protesters as workers arrived.
The government said four trees had been felled for preliminary water works.
Poh Ling Yeow spoke at a press conference and called for a better solution to the proposed circuit.
MotoGP is due to make its debut in Adelaide.
- Trees felled
- 4
- Parks
- Victoria Park and Rymill Park, Adelaide
- Trees earmarked for removal
- 377, including 42 considered significant
- Circuit length
- 4.13 kilometres
- Project cost
- $96 million
- Proposed event year
- 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
I’m not concerned about it, unless, of course, they haven’t taken the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the full picture
If the [MotoGP] project goes ahead, it would mark one of greatest environmental tragedies the state has seen
We are absolutely not anti-sport, we understand it has huge community value, it's about finding a better solution.
The fact that they've gone the path of least resistance, the laziest, most costly for the morale of the city way, it's inexcusable.