South Australia unveils A$96 million Adelaide street circuit redesign

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 31, the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport launched public consultation on the proposed design for the Adelaide street circuit redevelopment project, with feedback open until September 20. The project is currently in the design development phase, and public feedback will be used to refine the detailed design, with construction scheduled to commence in December 2026.

The proposed circuit is 4.13 kilometers in length with 15 corners, partially incorporating sections of the Adelaide Formula 1 circuit layout from the 1980s and 1990s, including Stag Corner, Rundle Road, Brewery Bend, and Dequetteville Terrace. A straight of approximately 900 meters will be set along Dequetteville Terrace. MotoGP and Supercars events are planned to be held separately in November 2027, with both events using the same circuit layout, though certain corners and safety barriers will be adjusted between events; from 2028, the circuit is also planned to be used for the Tour Down Under cycling event.

The South Australian government has announced a budget of A$96 million for the circuit redevelopment, which does not include the cost of new temporary pit building structures. In addition to the circuit surface and racing safety facilities, the project also includes upgrades to supporting infrastructure within the Adelaide Park Lands, providing new water, power, and other services for local event venues, as well as planning an approximately 1.2-kilometer accessible cycling loop, around 5 kilometers of running trails, and public event spaces.

The project design involves the removal of 377 trees, 42 of which are locally designated significant trees, with a further 88 planned for relocation and 22 still under further assessment. The South Australian government has committed to replanting trees at a ratio of at least 10:1, planning to add at least 3,393 new trees in the Adelaide Park Lands and planting more than 123,000 understory plants. An additional A$15 million "Adelaide Park Lands Nature Positive Package" will be implemented independently of the A$96 million circuit budget.

The project is also required to progress relevant processes under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Preliminary assessments completed by the project team indicate that the works are not expected to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance, but the South Australian government still plans to refer the project to the federal Minister for the Environment and Water to determine whether further environmental assessment or approval is required at the federal level. Detailed design will continue to progress following the current round of public consultation.