An iconic community of green and golden bell frogs, and threatened species of birds and flying foxes are at risk by holding the V8 Supercar race at Homebush Bay, despite the suitability of an alternative racetrack venue at Eastern Creek, according to the State’s peak environment group.
“The State and Federal governments have shown the legacy of Sydney’s ‘Green Olympics’ is little more than greenwash with the approval of a street race at the Homebush Olympic precinct,” Cate Faehrmann, executive director of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW said today.
“The Nature Conservation Council calls on race organisers and the State Government to abandon plans for building a street circuit at Homebush, and instead re-locate the Supercar race to a more suitable purpose-built location, such as Eastern Creek raceway.
“Homebush is an internationally-recognised model for restoring and upgrading degraded urban areas, turning them into valuable wildlife habitat. The parklands are now home to species of national significance, including healthy colonies of the endangered green and golden bell frogs.
“Many of the 141 trees slated for removal to make way for the racetrack are now approaching maturity and reaching their full potential.
“The Supercar race potentially jeopardises the nearly 10 years and significant public investment, including native plantings, in creating valuable habitat and public open spaces.
“The Nature Conservation Council does not accept that sustainability values and environmental restoration at Homebush should be abandoned for short-sighted commercial interests,” Ms Faehrmann said.
