Economic fears hit Phillip Island locals after shock MotoGP news

The local community on Phillip Island is braced for economic devastation, following MotoGP’s shock decision to move the Australian Grand Prix to Adelaide for 2027.

After months of uncertainty over the future of the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, the local Victorian government pledged funding to bring the circuit facilities up to a better standard having rejected a MotoGP SEG (formerly Dorna) request to move the event to Albert Park.

But that proved to be the end of Phillip Island’s hopes of retaining MotoGP, after the championship elected to sign a deal with South Australia to bring the grand prix to a street circuit in Adelaide.

The news has been met with major backlash from fans on social media, though riders have backed MotoGP.

The human toll of this crushing decision on the local area on Phillip Island, however, is becoming apparent.

MotoGP at Phillip Island generates over $50 million for the local economy, which includes almost $30m in direct local spend, and supports almost 300 full-time jobs.

The news has been met grimly by locals.

Bass MP Jordan Crungale is reported by the Sentinel-Times as saying: “Phillip Island is home to and synonymous with the MotoGP.

“We are devastated the owners of the race wanted to move it from our stunning region and spectacular coastline to a street-based city race.

“We saw the largest attendance since 2012 just last year with over 90,000 people, it brings so much to Bass Coast and the wider region and injects $60 million into the local economy, supports small businesses, jobs, tourism and draws visitors from near and far.

“We wanted it on the Island, we put forward a very convincing proposal, offered additional funding to make it bigger and better and disappointment is an understatement.

“We thrive on regional events, and this one is the biggest international sporting one in our country.

“Can I take this opportunity to thank the community and the local council for its Save the MotoGP campaign.

“We still have it this year, and I will be inviting the Minister [for major events] to come down and meet with Council, tourism bodies, relevant organisations and agencies to discuss what future options and opportunities we can all work towards for alternate major events that will benefit my local area and wider region.”

MotoGP first visited Phillip Island in 1989, with it becoming the permanent home of the Australian Grand Prix from 1997.

To compound matters for Phillip Island, it could also lose World Superbikes after its contract expires in 2027.

Adelaide locals express disruption concerns

The Adelaide tourism board has welcomed the deal to bring MotoGP to the city for the series’ first-ever street race.

But some locals have expressed dismay at the plans.

The Christian Brothers College, a private school which overlooks part of the course also used for Supercars, told 7NEWS Adelaide that it could be forced to close for a month due to disruption from the addition of a MotoGP event.

The college claims it was only made aware of the MotoGP announcement when it was made public to the media.

The Parklands Association has also expressed concerns over at least 100 trees now at risk of being felled as part of circuit construction.

When Formula 1 moved to Albert Park in Melbourne, over 1000 trees were cut down to make room for the track.