An application filed in Australia’s Federal Court seeks an interim injunction against work on the new Adelaide circuit, but no order suspending the project has yet been issued
News Summary
- An urgent injunction application seeks to halt work connected to Adelaide’s new MotoGP circuit
- The injunction has not been granted, meaning construction has not been formally suspended
- South Australia’s government says it will defend the project through the Federal Court
Preparations for MotoGP’s controversial move to Adelaide face a new legal obstacle after an application was filed seeking an urgent injunction against construction work on the circuit.
Documents submitted to Australia’s Federal Court show that Joshua Hogan brought the case against the state of South Australia on September 18. The application was lodged through the court’s Queensland registry and seeks an interim order preventing work associated with the MotoGP project.
Crucially, the request has only been filed. The Federal Court has not granted the injunction, and there is currently no judicial order requiring the South Australian government to suspend construction.
The precise legal grounds behind the application and the complete orders sought have not yet been made public.
South Australian Attorney-General Kyam Maher confirmed that the government had been notified and intended to oppose the action. “The South Australian government is aware of the application filed in the Federal Court seeking an urgent interim injunction in relation to works associated with MotoGP,” he said.
Maher added that the Crown Solicitor’s Office was examining both the grounds and the orders requested. “The government intends to defend its position and will respond through the appropriate court processes,” he explained.
Adelaide circuit remains at centre of environmental dispute
The state government has committed A$96 million to redevelop sections of Adelaide’s eastern parklands and create the circuit that is due to host the Australian GP from 2027.
The 4.13km, 15-corner layout incorporates public roads and permanent sections inside Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi. MotoGP sees it as a new type of urban venue, combining proximity to a city centre with the extensive run-off areas required for motorcycle racing.
However, the project has faced sustained opposition over its environmental impact. Local reporting indicates that almost 400 trees could be removed during the redevelopment, although the government has promised to plant ten trees for each one lost.
Environmental groups and residents have also raised concerns about permanent construction inside the parklands, road closures, public access and the long-term cost of maintaining the new infrastructure.
The Adelaide Park Lands Association has campaigned against the current proposal and encouraged residents to participate in a public consultation that closed on September 20. The organisation argues that the planned replacement planting does not compensate for the removal of established trees and habitat.
A report from Adelaide City Council has also examined the environmental and financial consequences of the redevelopment. However, the legal application was filed by Hogan as an individual rather than by the council or the Park Lands Association.
What happens if the injunction is granted?
An interim injunction would temporarily freeze work while the Federal Court considers the broader case. That could affect the project’s timetable, depending on the duration of the proceedings and the construction stages covered by any eventual order.
There is currently no announced date for the court to rule on the application, and neither MotoGP nor the FIM has indicated that Adelaide’s place on the 2027 calendar is under immediate review.
The championship has presented Adelaide as an important test for future urban events. MotoGP deputy CEO Carlos Ezpeleta recently said the Australian project was fundamentally different from a conventional street circuit because its design incorporates purpose-built safety areas.
MotoGP has also released rendered images of the layout as organisers prepare to transfer the Australian GP from Phillip Island. Adelaide is expected to stage its inaugural event in November 2027, although the precise date will depend on the final calendar.
For now, the event remains scheduled and construction has not been stopped. The next decisive development will be whether the Federal Court accepts the urgent injunction request or allows the South Australian government to proceed while the case is considered.
MotoGP will publish its complete 2027 calendar on Friday, September 25.
MotoGP today: FAQ
Who was fastest in Indonesian MotoGP Practice at Mandalika?
Raúl Fernández topped Friday’s Practice with a new Mandalika lap record of 1:28.725, leading an Aprilia 1-2-3 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín. Marc Márquez finished fifth, 0.220s behind championship rival Martín. All four qualified directly for Q2.
Can Marc Márquez take the MotoGP championship lead in Saturday’s sprint?
Yes. Márquez trails Jorge Martín by just two points, 331 to 333. The Ducati rider can move ahead by scoring at least three more points than Martín during Saturday’s sprint. A Márquez victory would guarantee the championship lead regardless of Martín’s result.
What time is Indonesian MotoGP qualifying and the sprint on Saturday?
Qualifying begins at 10:50 local time on Saturday, October 10, equivalent to 03:50 BST in the UK and 22:50 EDT on Friday in the United States and Canada. The sprint starts at 15:00 local time, equivalent to 08:00 BST and 03:00 EDT on Saturday.
Have construction works on the Adelaide MotoGP circuit been stopped?
No. An application seeking an urgent interim injunction has been filed, but the Federal Court has not granted it. There is currently no judicial order suspending the work.
