Hundreds of community members have expressed their fears about the State Government’s plans to triple the length of the Grand Prix’s Albert Park lockout through Engage Victoria, to local MLA Nina Taylor, and through an online petition.
But the concerns of Port Phillip residents and amateur sports people have so far been ignored by the State Government.
The Labor Government’s proposal to extend the current one-week lockout of the Park to three weeks around the GP will prevent residents, clubs and schools from accessing Albert Park Lake and the great majority of Albert Park for that period.
The measures will jeopardise numerous school educational and sporting programs, amateur sports activities (particularly water sports), and exclude ordinary community members and their dogs. The Bill will also allow the loss-making Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) to run unspecified events whenever and wherever it likes in Albert Park and around Victoria.
The Government and the AGPC have offered no justification for the land and power grab, and no response to any expressed concerns.
“It’s hard not to be completely cynical about this Government’s attitude to our community. They’ll do whatever their corporate mates want, but it’s always at the expense of the Park, the environment, the community – and of course the Victorian taxpayer,” said Albert Park Sports Clubs Association President Hugo Armstrong.
And the community fared no better in the first parliamentary debate about the legislation this week. Multiple Government speakers refused to engage with the numerous concerns outlined by Liberal and Green MPs about both the bill’s impact and the consultation process.
To make matters worse, comments by Government speakers about the Albert Park MP only underlined how little influence the Albert Park community and their local representative actually have on this Government’s decisions.
The Government “triples down” on support for the Grand Prix
A stream of Government MPs spoke enthusiastically about the benefits of the GP to Melbourne’s sporting reputation while minimizing concerns from sporting groups and other users.
Minister Bronwyn Halfpenny (MLA Thomastown) dismissed local concerns saying ‘temporary use of public spaces is exactly what they are there for, not just for a particular group that live in an area to use it as their backyard.’
Government backbencher Daniela De Martino (MLA Monbulk) declared her support for motor sports saying ‘the tripling of the potential race period can allow so many more activations and so much more engagement and fun for locals and tourists alike, with this bill’s permission for non-motorsport events opening so many opportunities.’
Bill set to be heard in the Upper House
The bill will now be debated in the Upper House on or after 9 September . The Liberals have threatened to oppose the 3-week lockout extension if the Government fails to provide evidence to justify it. But given the Liberal’s efforts at the same time to claim the credit for the bringing the GP to Melbourne, many Albert Park users are sceptical they’ll actually follow through in any meaningful way.
In the meantime, community, sports and environmental representatives are promising to push on with their campaign.
“These unjustified, intrusive and excessive measures have really galvanised the community. The Government and the AGPC are not our friends. We’ll keep fighting for balance, fairness, and the needs of our community,” said Hugo.
TWiSK will report on what our local Upper House representative have to say.
FYI They are: Liberal’s David Davis and Georgie Crozier, ALP’s John Berger and Ryan Batchelor, and Greens’ Katherine Copsey.
