Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday, bulldozers and chainsaws rolled into Possum Park in Adelaide's beautiful national heritage-listed parklands in my home state of South Australia. More than 585 trees are set to be destroyed along with the habitats of native wildlife that call these parklands home. Over 100 animal species live in this area, including grey-headed flying foxes and brush tail possums. These trees and this parkland are precious ecosystems for our native animals. They are the shelter, the food and the safety for wildlife, and they are now under pressure. Reports from locals on the ground say that animals have already been injured, and this destruction only began yesterday. Wildlife rescuers have been reportedly denied access to help injured wildlife.

South Australians don't want this destruction and they don't want this destruction with the $45 million price tag. In fact, 35,000 people have signed a petition opposing the destruction of our precious parklands. Under Peter Malinauskas, the Premier of South Australia, more parkland trees are facing the chop than at any time since the first settlers cleared the area in the 1840s, and for what? For a $45 million project tied to a golf tournament that's future is in question and sure to collapse. Imagine what $45 million could do for South Australians struggling right now, with the cost of living. It could help families waiting for public housing, it could strengthen our overwhelmed health system or it could be used to invest in our communities instead of tearing them apart.

Once these trees are gone, they are gone for generations. South Australians deserve better than this hefty price tag for destruction right in the heart of our beautiful city. It is time it stopped.