About 100 locals rallied in Albert Park last Saturday to voice their concern regarding a plan to increase the Grand Prix event lockout period from the current 7 days to 21 days.
The protest was supported by a diverse group of park lovers, including sports clubs, environmental lobbyists, and the battle-weary Save Albert Park crew.
Bryan Mears, Port Phillip Deputy Mayor and Lakeside Ward, climbed upon a milk crate to tell the crowd that he was very disappointed about not receiving prior notice regarding the proposed 21-day closure of the Albert Park Reserve.
He said the Council had moved quickly, contacting Grand Prix CEO Travis Auld to set up a meeting to discuss ramifications for the community.
Mayor Louise Crawford also sent a letter to Minister Steve Dimopoulos to express concerns about the impact on our community and sporting clubs who use the park.
He reported that he, Mayor Louise Crawford, and Council CEO Chris Carroll had met with the Grand Prix Corporation to discuss concerns about the potential impact of losing the park for 21 rather than 7 days.
‘During our meeting, Mr. Auld stressed that he wanted to see “tangible benefits for the community as a result of the presence of the GP”.’
Cr Mears said councillors will continue to meet Grand Prix representatives to explore benefits for the community, including legacy benefits from the event, such as infrastructure or improved sporting facilities.
He urged all attendees and the community to urgently provide feedback via the Engage Victoria website.
‘Less than a week remains for your feedback. This is my most important message; don’t leave it to a group, a friend, or someone else to respond. If you don’t get involved and send in your feedback, the State Government will believe it is not an issue,’ he stressed.
Consultation quicker than a speeding F1 car
The State Government is moving at F1 speed to quickly pass changes to the Australian Grands Prix Amendment Bill, with only a 14-day consultation period closing on 11 August.
TWiSK lists some known implications of the proposed changes.
Full park lockout extended from 1 week to 3 weeks
This means no community access to the Lake and almost all of the Park for 3 weeks.
Sporting clubs have told TWiSK this will prevent the park from being used daily by sailing and rowing clubs, schools, nature lovers, environmentalists, and thousands of ordinary community members.
Other implications include:
Rowing and sailing clubs will be off water for 3 weeks at the height of their season;
Albert Park College (APC) rowing program looks unlikely to be able to compete in the Schools Head of the River;
Schools using pavilions as classrooms will have 3-week mid-term disruptions;
The Port Phillip community will be completely denied access to walk around the lake, exercise their dogs, or engage in passive recreation;
Land-based sports clubs are mostly thrown off their grounds and pavilions for much longer periods, leading to less change for them – but ongoing disruptions for up to 5 months for their sports and club activities;
Sports clubs will still get reduced access to temporary training grounds at the St Kilda end of the Park.
Increased payment by AGPC to Parks Victoria (PV) – $100k to $200k
PV spends more than this annually just resourcing its ‘supervision’ of the AGPC.
PV’s annual management budget for APR is around $4.5M. Contrast this with the State Government’s $100m a year funding for the AGPC (and growing every year) and $350m for the new, bigger Pit Building.
AGPC gets to host non-motor sport events
This is a mind-boggling extension of a global franchise that expands and blurs the crossover between recreation and entertainment – in this case, on public land subsidized by the taxpayer.
Liberty Media owns Global Formula 1. It also owns Live Nation, the global conglomerate controlling international music touring and events. It also owns Ticketmaster.
Local sports clubs have already noted that the GP is being turned into a ‘festival’ supported, encouraged, and increasingly funded by the Victorian Government. The clubs fear that this can only happen at the expense of Albert Park and its year-round users.
What you can do
Send Feedback on Engage Victoria site THIS WEEK (ends August 10).
Write to Steve Dimopoulos, the Minister for the Environment (incl. PV), Major Events (incl. the AGPC) and Sport at reception.dimopoulos@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Write to local Labor MP Nina Taylor nina.taylor@parliament.vic.gov.au
Write to Upper House Southern Metro MPs:- Ryan Batchelor (ALP), John Berger (ALP), Katherine Copsey (Greens), Georgie Crozier (Lib.), David Davis (Lib). Or write to representatives of the minor parties (Animal Justice Party, Legalise Cannabis Victoria, Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party, One Nation) in the Upper House asking them to oppose the bill.
Contact your Port Phillip Councillor and tell them you want the Council to co-manage Albert Park Reserve, and represent local interests in the Park.
