Residents ‘unsurprised but deeply disappointed’ as Burswood racetrack clears planning hurdle
Part of Labor’s contentious Burswood racecourse has cleared a major hurdle after state planning commissioners approved a development application for the Perth Park project on Thursday.
Members of the Western Australian Planning Commission unanimously supported the $20 million application, a fraction of the project’s $217.5 million budget, despite public opposition from residents and local councils.
Minister of Transport, Sport and Recreation Rita Saffioti announced on Friday that a $202.4 million contract has been signed to build the entire Perth Park project, marking a step forward for the controversial venture.
Saffioti also announced that a land swap agreement had been reached between the government and the Crown, which would see 3.69 hectares of Crown-owned land included in the Perth Park project site.
In return, the state will provide Crown with approximately 1.85 hectares of state-owned land on the southwest side of the complex, currently used for parking.
“Over the last 15 years the Burswood Peninsula has been transformed with the development of the Crown Towers precinct, Optus Stadium, Matagarup Bridge and a number of new tourism and hospitality facilities,” Saffioti said.
“Perth Park will be the next step in the transformation of the Burswood Peninsula, transforming the area into a world-class hub for sport, entertainment, culture and the arts.”
Despite multiple delegations against the project from residents, advocacy groups and Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon on Thursday, commissioners said they felt satisfied that the development application adhered sufficiently to planning regulations to gain approval.
The development application will include the start of construction on a section of the multi-use racetrack, as well as earthworks and drainage works, landscaping and public realm improvements, as well as a newcomers plaza, roadworks and utilities improvements.
Speaking against the application, Vernon said the racecourse should not be supported due to its incompatible nature and the excessive noise pollution it provided to neighboring residents.
“Motorsports itself is fundamentally incompatible with the purpose of regional open space reservation because [firstly] “It prioritizes heavily ticketed, high-impact events, not passive or low-impact recreation, and secondly, it introduces industrial-scale noise and infrastructure inconsistent with parkland values,” he said.
On the noise issue, Vernon said research and evidence proved the racetrack would cause “significant and intrusive” noise impacts on residents.
“This is not just noise, it is noise at a level that no reasonable planning authority would accept near people’s homes. The acoustic evidence before you shows that noise levels were well above accepted standards,” he said.
“Impacts affect nearby residential properties and a noise profile of a high intensity and nuisance character.”
Resident Michael Thorn also rejected the proposal, calling the initiative “a complete affront to good planning”.
“Objectively, it is highly unthinkable that anyone would propose a permanent motor racing circuit on this invaluable inner-city parkland near the iconic Swan River,” Thorn said.
“This development will negatively impact the health and welfare of our Claisebrook neighbourhood, residents, wildlife and pets due to persistent and excessive noise and pollution.
“The Commission should firstly reject the application to build a permanent racetrack on this site and secondly not allow motor racing to take place here on the banks of the Swan River.”
Ultimately, commissioners voted to support the proposal with an additional amendment to limit motorsport events to one Supercars event per year for a maximum of three days.
Commissioner Megan Adair said the reason behind the change was to eliminate uncertainty about how many events could potentially be held at the track.
WAPC president Emma Cole said she was confident noise concerns would be adequately managed through a noise management plan.
“We have discussed that the engine resource is the primary impact, and I believe that has been managed in a way that strikes the right balance in allowing this area to develop in line with the intent and desire within the planning framework,” Cole said.
“I also think it’s really helpful to understand that venues and many of those who have very good experience of managing Optus Stadium will be looking at operations in the Perth Park area and the current management of the stadium from a holistic perspective.”
Save Burswood Park Alliance co-chair Robin Harvey told this imprint after the meeting that she was “not surprised but deeply disappointed” by the outcome.
“We are actually very angry at the seeming check-the-box practice that we witnessed yesterday,” Harvey said.
Stating that its group was “vaguely relieved” the WAPC agreed to hold an annual Supercars event, but was “very sorry” for the parks and wildlife in the area that would be affected by the circuit.
“The future for us is to continue to hold this government to account. We will certainly be very active observers of what’s happening,” he said.
“And we will actively campaign to remove those responsible for this project at the next election.”
Construction begins
The contract to build Perth Park has been awarded to Seymour Whyte, Civmec and Aurecon Alliance, the group of companies building the Boorloo Bridge, with plans for the site to be ready for use in late 2027.
The cost of the Burswood racecourse and Perth Park project still stands at $217.5 million despite dire warnings about the impact the war in Iran could have on Western Australia’s construction industry.
The racetrack was a key election promise of WA Labor and includes an amphitheater that can seat 15,000 to 20,000 people, a 1.25km multi-use cycle track and an 845-metre training track, as well as a multi-purpose building with event and event spaces.
The state plans to host an annual V8 Supercars event at the circuit and is exploring the possibility of hosting a Formula E event.
Approximately 600 new trees will also be planted, doubling the existing tree cover in the area.
