By Bronwen Beechey
and Dave Holmes
MELBOURNE — Last December, when the Kennett government announced that the 1996 Australian Formula One Grand Prix would be held in inner-suburban Albert Park, the media did their best to provide an impression of universal enthusiasm. Since then, the tide of public dissent has swelled, providing a massive headache for both Kennett and promoter Ron Walker, a friend of the premier and a prominent figure in the Liberal Party.
On May 26 the government finally released details of its plans for the park. They will do nothing to mollify opponents of the scheme. At the end of the day, there is a fundamental incompatibility between a park and a Formula One race circuit which no amount of clever design and specious argument can overcome.
At 235 hectares, Albert Park is one of Melbourne's biggest public parks. Several sporting ovals, a public golf course and an artificial lake make it a popular recreational spot. The park is surrounded by the densely populated bayside suburbs of South Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park and St Kilda. These suburbs contain a diverse population with considerable numbers of elderly people, families and low-income earners as well as more well-off professionals.
The Save Albert Park group has made it clear that it is not opposed to the Grand Prix as such, but that holding the race at Albert Park would have a disastrous effect on the park itself and the local community. Effects would include the removal of trees, the relocation of sporting facilities with consequent loss of public space, disruption of community services and the health risks of noise and petrol fumes.
Despite assurances by the government that the new track will be used only for Grand Prix events, opponents are sceptical, pointing out it would hardly be worth the effort and expense involved if it is only going to be used for one week a year. It has been suggested that up to six racing events per year could be held at the park.
The extent of opposition was revealed on May 15 when the Sunday Age published a poll showing that 62% of Victorians did not want the Grand Prix held there, 56% favoured holding the rally at another venue (such as the Sandown or Phillip Island racetracks), and 68% were critical of the government for making decisions on the issue without consulting the community.
The government and the race promoters have insisted that changing the venue from Albert Park is impossible because an "ironclad" contract has been signed with the international Formula One racing body. However, this self-serving argument was shot down when it was revealed that the Argentine Grand Prix, scheduled for October, had been moved from a Buenos Aires suburb to a dedicated circuit following strong public protests — "ironclad" contracts notwithstanding.
A large rally held on the same day as the publication of the poll. Among the 10,000 who flocked to the park were people from as far away as Geelong and Ballarat. The crowd was addressed by speakers from the Save Albert Park group, well-known actors John Diedrich and John Flaus, ABC radio arts commentator Mary-Lou Jelbart and Labor politicians John Thwaites and Clyde Holding among others, and expressed their own opposition with colourful banners and hand-made placards containing slogans such as "Axe Kennett, Not Trees", "We Spits on your Pits" and "Decibels will Decimate." The crowd included pensioners, families with young children and dogs, high-school students and members of sporting clubs in football gear and cricket whites.
The extent of public anger was shown when Kennett made an appearance at the rally in an obviously provocative move. As Kennett and his escort of around 15 police prepared to leave, they were surrounded by a crowd of jeering protesters who followed them out of the park and pursued them down nearby streets, shouting abuse, as the main body of the rally marched through the park.
When the convener of the Save Albert Park Group, Iain Stewart, referred to the spending of millions of dollars on a car race when community services, health and education spending are being savagely cut as an "obscenity", the crowd erupted in cheers and shouts of agreement. It was clear that it will take much more than what another speaker described as "bread and circuits" to make ordinary Victorians forget the hardships inflicted by his government.