‘Delay and obstruct’: Hundreds rally against Olympic stadium at Victoria Park

Hundreds of people gathered at Victoria Park on Saturday to protest against a possible Olympic stadium on the site, with high-profile campaigners promising a legal battle “invoking every tactic to delay and obstruct” approval.

The park, spanning Spring Hill, Kelvin Grove and Herston, is one of several locations being considered to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games by an independent review committee.

“Our campaign is to keep our park as a park,” organiser Sue Bremner told Brisbane Times.

Protesters listen to speeches opposing an Olympic Stadium in Victoria Park on Saturday.Credit: Save Victoria Park

“Sydney didn’t build their [stadium] in the Domain … London didn’t build in Hyde Park, and Paris didn’t build on the Bois de Boulogne.

“We’re witnessing a very vocal and well-connected campaign to carve up this heritage-listed public parkland … under the guise of ‘Olympic legacy’.

“We won’t stop. We’re prepared to go legal.”

Protesters make a statement at Victoria Park on Saturday. Credit: Save Victoria Park

Between 300 and 400 supporters gathered in the park from 9.30am, uniting to spell out “NO” on the grass as a TV helicopter hovered overhead.

They were joined by high-profile politicians from across the political spectrum, including former LNP premier Campbell Newman, Labor MP Grace Grace, and former Greens councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan.

“These people said, ‘it’s obvious we disagree on policy and many things, but we are united in standing firm that this park should not be destroyed for a stadium’, and I think that’s pretty powerful,” Bremner said.

Victoria Park is one of several sites, including the Gabba, being considered by the review committee to host the Games.

Archipelago’s proposed Victoria Park stadium is one of the more contentious proposals.Credit: Archipelago

Premier David Crisafulli has previously ruled out building a new stadium under any circumstances, however the 100-day review’s terms of reference allow consideration of both new and upgraded venues.

“I don’t think he seems to be the sort of person, this early in his tenure, to be breaking promises,” Bremner said.

A sign at Saturday’s protest says it all.Credit: Save Victoria Park

Last week, former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told Nine News she had been told the committee had “already decided” on Victoria Park to host the Games.

Olympics Minister Tim Mander strongly disputed that claim days later, calling it “mischievous” and saying he’s confident no information has leaked from the committee.

From the park on Saturday, Newman revealed the group plans a legal challenge if the government walks back on its promise.

“The Queensland government and proponents of a stadium need to be aware that we will do everything in our power to save Victoria Park,” the former premier said in a statement.

“That means invoking every tactic to delay and obstruct any development that devastates this beautiful place.”

Bremner said she believed her campaign was gaining momentum and had broad support.

“It’s crazy that in the 21st century, a city like Brisbane would even be contemplating trashing a park for a stadium,” she told Brisbane Times.

“I hope we’re not going back to the bad old days in Queensland, where we didn’t care about heritage and history.

“We truly don’t want Brisbane to be known in the international press – or even in the other states – as a hick town that thinks it’s OK to trash a park to build a stadium using the Olympics and Paralympics brands.”

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