Opposition to Grand Prix grows
By Bronwen Beechey
MELBOURNE — Despite concerted government and media attempts to discredit the Save Albert Park campaign, thousands attended a second rally to protest plans to hold the Grand Prix at the inner-suburban park.
While police estimated the numbers at the July 10 rally at 6000, considerably less than the 10,000 who attended the first rally on May 15, organisers claim that the figure was closer to 16,000.
It was clear from the rally that opposition to the use of public parkland for a car race remains strong. Noise pollution, destruction of trees and wildlife in the park, disruption to sporting groups and possible dislocation of low-income earners and community organisations were just some of the probable effects mentioned by speakers. They also commented on the lack of consultation and secrecy surrounding plans for the race.
The keynote speaker at the rally was well-known environmentalist Bob Brown, who compared the importance of the campaign to preserve Albert Park with the battle to save the Franklin River. Acknowledging the support of Victorians in that campaign, Brown received sustained applause when he promised to join in any action necessary to prevent construction from going ahead.
Barbara Horn of the Save Albert Park group told Â鶹´«Ã½â€” that she was pleased with the turnout for the rally: "You always take a calculated risk when you organise a second event like this, but the attendance shows that support isn't dwindling". Save Albert Park will be organising further protests, with the next one likely to be a twilight vigil around the Albert Park lake.
A Saulwick poll published in the Sunday Age on the day of the rally indicated that opposition to the Grand Prix at Albert Park was now 35%, compared to 68% in a similar poll taken in May.
Horn commented that this apparent change was not surprising given the concerted scaremongering campaign by supporters of the Grand Prix, who claim that if the race is prevented from going ahead at Albert Park, this will result in the loss of the Grand Prix from Victoria altogether and consequent economic loss.
However, the successful campaign in Buenos Aires to shift the Grand Prix from a residential area to an existing racetrack shows that moving the Grand Prix to another venue is well within the power of the government. Horn also pointed out that holding the event at the existing racetrack at Sandown would require less initial outlay than the millions needed to create a racetrack in Albert Park.
Horn also suggested that some people had been falsely reassured by glossy propaganda distributed by Melbourne Parks and Waterways, which claim that the park will be "upgraded" as part of preparations for the Grand Prix.
An example of the lengths that some supporters of the Grand Prix are prepared to go to was the discovery, on the morning of the July 10 rally, of tacks scattered along the route of a bike ride planned as part of the protest.