Phillip Island Faces Threat of Golf Course Plan

The future of Phillip Island Circuit has come under scrutiny after its designer, Bob Barnard, warned that the historic Australian venue could potentially be redeveloped as a golf course after losing MotoGP and WorldSBK.

Barnard issued the warning in an open letter opposing the decision to move the Australian MotoGP round to a new Adelaide street circuit from 2027. Phillip Island first hosted the motorcycle grand prix in 1989 and subsequently developed into one of the most recognised venues on the world championship calendar.

Barnard made clear that the possible golf-course development originates from comments surrounding the intentions of circuit property owner Lindsay Fox and is not a confirmed redevelopment decision. However, he fears that the loss of MotoGP, followed by the departure of WorldSBK, could weaken the commercial basis for preserving the circuit in its current form.

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“Recent comments suggest that after losing both the GP and the WSBK, the owner of the Phillip Island Circuit property, Lindsay Fox, may turn it into a golf course,” Barnard wrote in the letter republished by RacingNews365.

Barnard has direct links to both locations at the centre of the dispute. He was involved in developing the current Phillip Island layout and bringing the motorcycle grand prix to Australia in 1989, while also designing the former Formula 1 street circuit in Adelaide. He initially attempted to remain neutral before concerns over the possible loss of two major motorsport assets prompted his public opposition.

Barnard argued that the new Adelaide layout is not the original Formula 1 circuit and cannot be viewed as a direct replacement for Phillip Island. In his assessment, Australia risks losing an internationally recognised permanent motorcycle circuit while altering the Adelaide Parklands to construct a venue whose full design, environmental impact and financial case have not yet been publicly demonstrated.

“Australia should not be forced to choose between motorsport and environmental heritage. We should not lose the world’s best street track and possibly lose the best motorcycle race track while sacrificing Adelaide’s Parklands,” he wrote.

Barnard called for the complete circuit design, environmental footprint and financial justification for the Adelaide project to be released before irreversible decisions are made. He also compared Phillip Island’s position with that of Mount Panorama Circuit at Bathurst, arguing that any proposal to close or substantially redevelop another historic venue would provoke major opposition from Australia’s motorsport community.

The controversy has expanded the debate over the Australian MotoGP’s relocation beyond the choice of host city and towards the preservation of a permanent racing facility. Until a formal decision is made regarding the property’s future, the golf-course scenario remains a concern raised by Barnard rather than a confirmed plan, but the loss of two world championships has made Phillip Island’s long-term position increasingly urgent.