{"id":125295,"date":"2025-09-07T10:29:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-07T10:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/125295\/"},"modified":"2025-09-07T10:29:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T10:29:12","slug":"federal-perth-mp-patrick-gorman-opposes-wa-labors-plans-for-burswood-park-sports-and-entertainment-precinct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/125295\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal Perth MP Patrick Gorman opposes WA Labor’s plans for Burswood Park sports and entertainment precinct"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of WA’s highest-ranking Labor MPs has called on the state government to abandon controversial plans to build an entertainment precinct and street circuit in Burswood.<\/p>\n

The $217 million project first proposed in the lead-up to the March state election was pitched as a street circuit for motorsports and cycling which would attract tourists and generate tens of millions of dollars in economic benefits.<\/a><\/p>\n

But it’s been vocally opposed by nearby residents, the Greens and the Liberals, with opposition leader Basil Zempilas constantly using it as an example of what he says are the state government’s wrong priorities.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Proposed<\/p>\n

The site of the WA government’s proposed Burswood Park multi-use community hub and racetrack. (ABC News: Glyn Jones)<\/p>\n

Now, the federal member for Perth and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman, has added his voice to the opposition.<\/p>\n

“It is no surprise to anyone that as the Member for Perth my longstanding and firm view is that the Burswood Racetrack should not proceed,” he said in a statement.<\/p>\n

“As a local member I have heard extensive concerns from local constituents and community groups about the significant loss of amenity, environmental impacts and impacts on future housing developments.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Mr Gorman says community concerns have been amplified since the release of the WA government’s consultation report. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)<\/p>\n

“These concerns started immediately after the election commitment was announced and have amplified since the release of the consultation report.”<\/p>\n

That report, which suggested there was broad support for the project, was slammed as spin by the Save Burswood Park Alliance which is rallying community voices to oppose the development.<\/p>\n

Save Burswood Park Alliance co-chair Robin Harvey said she was hopeful Mr Gorman’s comments would encourage other elected members to oppose the project.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Robin Harvey said the project would damage the amenity of the area. (ABC News: Phoebe Pin)<\/p>\n

“They’re our elected representatives, none of this motor racing track was in any of their election material, yet they won’t speak up,” Dr Harvey said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“They have said to us, ‘It’s not our priority,’ well we’re saying to them it is a priority.<\/p>\n

“We don’t want this project, we don’t want a racing car in a beautiful, rehabilitated, inner-city green park that we use every day for recreation purposes.”<\/p>\n

Premier not backing down<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Premier Roger Cook hit back at Mr Gorman’s opposition, saying a letter he recently sent contained “a number of factual errors”.<\/p>\n

“For example, Mr Gorman asserted the precinct was being developed for numerous motorsport events \u2014 that’s wrong,” they said.<\/p>\n

\"WA<\/p>\n

Roger Cook has continued to defend the project, which he said would bolster WA’s tourism economy. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)<\/p>\n

‘Rita’s racetrack’ divides opinion<\/a><\/p>\n

The WA government’s controversial $217 million plan to build a street motorsport circuit at Perth’s Burswood Park has incurred the wrath of many \u2014 and don’t dare call it a motorplex.<\/p>\n

“In fact, it will host one Supercars event a year, with the precinct being available for a range of other community events throughout the rest of the year, including cycling, as well as concerts at the new amphitheatre.<\/p>\n

“Mr Gorman also incorrectly suggested there would be a loss of urban canopy and green space, when our plan will actually see an increase in the number of trees and natural amenity.<\/p>\n

“While we are always interested in the views of our federal representatives, we think it would be most appropriate for Mr Gorman to spend his time in Canberra helping us to secure WA’s fair share of infrastructure spending and aged care beds.”<\/p>\n

Rare rift<\/p>\n

Mr Gorman said Mr Cook was leading “one of the best” state Labor governments he had ever seen, and that gave him hope the premier would address community concerns.<\/p>\n

“The Cook Labor Government will always have my support and the best way I can support them now is to help build a new fair, transparent, and inclusive consultation process including a new and open site selection process,” Mr Gorman said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Opponents to the plan have been vocal about their concerns. (ABC News: Phoebe Pin)<\/p>\n

Such public disagreement over a major policy has been a rarity in the Western Australian Labor Party in recent years which has been defined by its solidarity.<\/p>\n

But it does come after Mr Cook and his ministers spent weeks decrying a lack of aged care support from the federal Labor government, especially when it comes to home care packages \u2014 an issue which they have blamed for adding pressure to already overflowing hospitals.<\/p>\n

‘Axe the track’<\/p>\n

Mr Zempilas on Sunday weighed in on the disagreement within the Labor Party.<\/p>\n

“The federal member for Perth, if he understands that this is a bad project that should be scrapped, then surely it is time for the premier and the treasurer to concede defeat and say \u2026 ‘we are going to axe the track’,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“That is the right thing to do.<\/p>\n

“I urge other ministers of the state Labor government to find similar courage to speak up.<\/p>\n

\"Basil<\/p>\n

Basil Zempilas said now was the time for the state government to scrap the project. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)<\/p>\n

“It is their responsibility on behalf of their constituents, that is what we are elected to parliament to do, to represent the people of our electorates.<\/p>\n

“Patrick Gorman’s doing it, when is [state MP for Perth] John Carey going to do it? When is [MP for Victoria Park] Hannah Beazley going to do it?”<\/p>\n

Mr Carey claimed Mr Zempilas was a “gross hypocrite”.<\/p>\n

“I won’t be lectured from him, he’s the guy who wanted WA taxpayers to fork out a billion dollars for the Commonwealth Games,” he said.<\/p>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

John Carey said he was confident opposition to the proposal would fade. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)<\/p>\n

“That dwarfs any entertainment precinct so I just think Basil Zempilas goes from one brain fart to another.”<\/p>\n

Mr Carey said he believed opposition to the entertainment precinct and racetrack would change.<\/p>\n

“With projects like this it can get a range of views, people can be passionate and I’m not dismissive of that, but ultimately I do think as the project progresses, we will see some people change their views,” he said.<\/p>\n

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