‘Complete sham': Track plans spark protests at Optus Stadium
It claims the tender for the project was issued well before consultation had begun and closed before it had been completed.
Hundreds of people attended community feedback sessions from last Thursday to Sunday, sharing their ideas and thoughts on the released plans for the new Perth entertainment and sporting precinct for Burswood Park.
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A statement released by Save Burswood Park Alliance said the sessions were 'set up with only a basic 'cartoon' layout of the development and with government staff unable to answer targeted questions relating to track design and construction, noise modelling, and plant and animal surveys'.
It said many people were agitated and vocal about the 'lack of information available'.
Save Burswood Park Alliance co-chair Robin Harvey said Landsdale MLA Daniel Pastorelli, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, had attended all four sessions as the government's spokesman and in discussions about the racetrack he repeatedly said it was a non-negotiable part of the project. Protestors at a drop in session for the Entertainment and Sporting Precinct at Burswood Park. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian
'What is the point of community consultation when the community's main objection is dismissed like that?' Dr Harvey said.
'Real community consultation involves the community and all other stakeholders from the beginning.
'This V8 Supercars proposal was presented to us as a fait accompli. The consultation is clearly a complete sham.'
Mr Pastorelli told PerthNow the program of consultation had been extensive and had welcomed discussions with all interested residents and relevant stakeholders.
'The drop-in sessions have been a key element of the consultation. The sessions were respectful and we received constructive and beneficial feedback,' he said.
'I have personally been undertaking a range of face-to-face meetings with residents and stakeholders including key community residents, which will continue over coming weeks.
'The community feedback is essential in informing the design and delivery of the new precinct.'
Mr Pastorelli acknowledged some residents may have wanted more specific information but said the project was not yet at that stage. Part of the protest at the drop-in session for the entertainment and sporting precinct at Burswood Park. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian
'We are currently in the consultation phase and detailed design is yet to be completed — noting a contract for design has not been awarded,' he said.
'The project team comprised of public servants do a remarkable job day-in-day-out and we thank those people who were respectful in their engagement with them at the drop-in sessions.'
Mr Pastorelli said Indigenous consultation to help with design had started.
'Initial consultation has been held with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, and a cultural advisory group to provide cultural advice during design development will be established,' he said.
Dr Harvey said the Alliance agreed with the project's planned landscape improvements and outdoor amphitheatre, although there were concerns about its scope and size.
Protesters against the plans rallied at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon hoping to catch people attending an AFL game.
Community consultation for the project will continue in the upcoming weeks.
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