Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon has emerged as a vocal critic of a proposed collaboration between Supercars and the Western Australian state government to establish a new street racing event in Perth. The ambitious plan involves a substantial government investment of $217.5 million to convert the area between Crown Casino and Optus Stadium into a venue suitable for hosting a street race. Scheduled for 2027, the event is expected to serve as the season opener, featuring the iconic Perth skyline as a backdrop.
Vernon, whose council borders Burswood Park but does not oversee it, publicly expressed her opposition to the proposal last week. This week, she intensified her campaign with a bold assertion on local radio, suggesting that the street race is part of a clandestine government agenda.
Allegations of a Secretive Government Plot
According to Vernon, the state government is allegedly planning to relocate Perth Motorplex from its current site in the industrial area of Kwinana, over 30 kilometers from the city, to the upscale Burswood Peninsula. This move, she claims, is linked to another government initiative to transfer Perth’s sea freight port from Fremantle to Kwinana, potentially leading to the improbable scenario of inner-city speedway and drag racing.
“This is the rumour that I heard at the end of last week, and looking into it, and exploring a bit about Westport,” Vernon told 6PR radio.
Vernon elaborated on her theory, stating, “There’s something much deeper going on about this announcement from the state Labor government that they’re going to put a motorplex on Burswood Park. Because let’s face it, that’s what it is. It’s not a motorised street circuit, because that is something temporary. This is entirely a motorplex.”
The Westport Initiative and Land Resumption
The Westport initiative, a significant state government project aimed at creating a new container port at Kwinana, is central to Vernon’s claims. She highlighted information from the current Westport website, which mentions the voluntary resumption of land needed for the Westport precinct, with the possibility of compulsory land acquisition.
“It’s already been reported in 2023 by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Industry that there was a likelihood that the Perth Motorplex would need to move for that future expansion and delivery of that port,” Vernon noted.
Vernon argued that such a relocation would necessitate a well-planned transition, suggesting that the sudden emergence of a motorplex at Burswood Park, ready for the 2027 race season with construction starting in 2025, is suspicious.
Alternative Proposals and Motorsport Passion
Vernon supports a proposal from the City of Wanneroo to redirect street racing funds to the existing Wanneroo Raceway, reiterating her belief that the Burswood plan is part of a government conspiracy. “Nothing about this Burswood location makes sense,” she said. “Something is happening and that’s what I’m really concerned about. If there is a hidden agenda, I think people need to know what it is. Somebody needs to come forward and tell the truth.”
Addressing questions about her stance on motorsport, Vernon shared her personal experiences and enthusiasm for the sport. “When I was watching the Supercars over the weekend I was remembering about my own visits to Eastern Creek,” she said. “I remember going to see Peter Brock race in the eastern states. I’ve been to the [Australian] Grand Prix. I’m a bit of a ‘rev-head’. I’ve even raced around Langley Park in a super stage part of Rally Australia years ago when I was in the classic rally.”
“I actually enjoy motorsport. But I know there are people who don’t. I’m a believer [that] it needs to be in the right location and fans of that sport will go to any location to see it, because they are there for the racing, not for the scenery.”
Looking Ahead
The controversy surrounding the proposed street race and Vernon’s allegations have sparked significant public interest and debate. As discussions continue, the state government and Supercars organizers may need to address these concerns and provide clarity on the future of motorsport in Perth. The coming months are likely to be pivotal in determining whether the proposed event will proceed as planned or if alternative solutions will be explored.
