Premier David Crisafulli to stare down efforts from protesters to delay and obstruct new Victoria Park stadium

David Crisafulli has dismissed threats from opponents of the new 63,000-seat Victoria Park stadium who say they are set to “use every avenue possible to delay and obstruct those plans”.

Premier David Crisafulli says he will stare down the efforts to delay Victoria Park’s new 63,000 seat stadium.

Premier David Crisafulli will stare down efforts to delay and obstruct a new stadium being built at Victoria Park.

He argued Queenslanders were overwhelmingly positive about the government’s infrastructure blueprint in the 24 hours after its release.

Labour shortages were already tipped to put pressure on the government’s ability to deliver Olympic venues before 2032.

Opponents of the 63,000-seat Victoria Park stadium have also threatened to “use every avenue possible to delay and obstruct those plans”.

Mr Crisafulli dismissed the threat and said Queenslanders were demanding a world-class sporting venue.

An artist impression of Brisbane Stadium in Victoria Park for 2032 Games. Source: Queensland Government.

“I am very, very confident we can get this done,” he said.

“I’ve got every faith, and I know there’s been people speaking about the different rock material and surrounding businesses – that will be part of the plan.

“We will make sure that whilst we have a tight window, it can be done.”

The $7.1bn taxpayer funding allocated to build Games infrastructure could also be lowered if the government secured private sector investment.

The Premier also refuted claims he lied to Queenslanders when promising “no new stadiums” during the election campaign.

“That’s not the case,” he said.

“What I said was not right and I apologise for it and I’ll wear the political idiom of it but the decision behind it came about from that review and we’ve published that review lock, stock and barrel.”

A community rally in protest to a new stadium at Victoria Park. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Crisafulli said his choice was to “wind the clock back 40 years” with temporary stands at Nathan’s Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre or deliver a once-in-a-generation stadium at Victoria Park for the Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket.

“That’s a pretty difficult political position for me and I will wear some bark over it, it’s my call and I’ve made it because it’s the right call.”

The International Olympic Committee has also welcomed the state government’s plan.

“The Queensland government has undertaken an independent, comprehensive infrastructure review to ensure that all Brisbane 2032 plans align with the long-term aspirations of the region,” a spokesman said.

“This review process was an opportunity for meaningful dialogue to define priorities for the host regions, and we understand that all voices, including those of local residents, could be heard and were carefully considered.

“For all these reasons, the IOC welcomes the decisions taken by the local and regional governments as the established framework allows all parties to move forward with the finalisation of a venue masterplan.”

Negotiations between the state and federal government to carve up $2.5bn of Olympic cash originally slated to build Brisbane Arena will continue.

“It doesn’t need to happen tomorrow,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“It would defy logic for another level of government, who’s already allocated the money … it would defy logic to say we aren’t going to allow that to be used.”