Brisbane Olympic stadium faces court challenge
Brisbane’s $3.6 billion Olympic stadium proposal at Victoria Park faces intensifying opposition, with a residents’ Supreme Court challenge planned and Indigenous protesters refusing to leave a months-long camp as site works are slated to begin from Monday.
Local residents group GamesWatchdog 2032 plans to file a Supreme Court challenge. The group alleges the Queensland government is breaching its contract with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a Games host by proceeding with a stadium on a heritage-listed site and not adhering to Brisbane’s original bid commitments.
According to spokesman Neil Peach, the Olympic contract precludes building on a heritage place and requires compliance with the bid that stated Victoria Park would be retained as parkland.
Key Points
- Residents group GamesWatchdog 2032 plans Supreme Court challenge alleging IOC contract breach
- Indigenous protesters have camped at Victoria Park for months opposing the stadium
- Federal decision on cultural heritage protection for the park is pending
- Queensland moved to set aside at least 15 heritage, environmental and planning laws
- Premier David Crisafulli says protesters must leave within days, police to decide action
- Equipment is in place to begin fencing next week; site work slated from Monday
- Government says 63,000-seat stadium will occupy one-third of Victoria Park, residents dispute this
Heritage concerns and protest camp
Indigenous protesters have been camping in Victoria Park for months in opposition to the stadium and are awaiting a federal government decision on cultural heritage protection for the inner Brisbane park. Historic Aboriginal gathering and camping is acknowledged in Victoria Park’s listing on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Protest leaders say the site holds cultural and environmental significance, including waterways and springs. Derek Oram Sandy from the Goori Camp Embassy said the project threatens both heritage and the ecosystem.
“My concern is we’ll lose a big part of our cultural heritage and the green space. It’s a sacred site, campsite, for our Goori people,” Mr Sandy told the ABC.
He also said the Goori Embassy Camp has been the target of racist comments on social media and argued the commenters were uneducated about the Frontier Wars and how their mob was moved along.
Protesters noted equipment arrived on National Sorry Day, describing reconciliation initiatives as token and saying the treatment of the camp reflects ongoing injustice.
The State government last year set aside at least 15 heritage, environmental and planning laws to advance the process and it has recently changed Victoria Park to freehold land. The park, previously used as a golf course, covers just over half a square kilometre.
Government stance
Qld Premier David Crisafulli insists the Indigenous protesters must leave the site within days, adding that police would determine any enforcement action. He framed the project as a matter of public interest at a city, state and national level.
“A city, a State, a nation and a globe are not going to be held hostage to a group of people who are making a political point,” he said.
