Hundreds protest against proposal of Victoria Park to be Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic stadium

The state gov has been warned it would face legal action if it chose Victoria Park as Brisbane Olympic stadium, with a 300-strong protest pushing to save the heritage site.

• NIMBYs at war over stadiums

More than 300 people and political players have gathered at Victoria Park to protest the proposal for a 60,000-seat Olympic stadium at the 150-year-old heritage park.

Protesters shaped a “NO” formation whilst chanting “Save Victoria Park”, as Former Premier Campbell Newman announced a pro bono legal counsel had been consulted to take legal action if Victoria Park was selected.

“There are many people across Brisbane who have been sucked into this concept of a stadium and we’re here to convince them that this park is precious, it’s worth saving,” he said.

“I urge people across this city to come and have a look at Victoria Park before you get on the bandwagon.”

Event organiser Sue Bremner said they had gathered in answer to “rumours” that “a decision is already made”.

“We want to send a message to the Premier, who has promised over and over again that there will be no new stadium in Brisbane and that Victoria Park is safe,” Ms Bremner said.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles sought to reassure locals, stating he did not believe Premier David Crisafulli would break his election promise by approving a stadium at the site.

Victoria Park Olympic stadium protesters, Herston. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I don’t think they [protesters] should be concerned, because David Crisafulli promised Queenslanders there wouldn’t be a new stadium at Victoria Park, and I don’t think he will go back on that promise,” he said.

“That would be a giant back flip, a massive back flip for him.

“The rumor on the street is that that’s what the independent review will recommend, but David Crisafulli will have no choice but to reject that recommendation, because he won an election off the back of a promise not to build a new state.”

Former LNP Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, Victoria Park Olympic stadium protest, Herston. Picture: Liam Kidston

Save Victoria Park formed in 2020 ahead of the looming closure of the golf course and redevelopment as a major public-use parkland.

While active, its campaigning slowed until early 2024 when whispers grew louder Victoria Park was being considered for a new stadium.

Former Gabba Ward councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan labelled the Victoria Park proposal a “pervasive ruthless attempt by property developers and big corporations to carve up public spaces for private profit”.

Mr Sriranganathan told a crowd of protesters that the Victoria Park proposal included nine hectares of land to be used for private residential and commercial development.

“This isn’t just an Olympics proposal, this is a development wet dream,” he said.

Former Chair of the QLD Heritage Council John Brannock emphasised the heritage value of the park, which is 150 years old this year.

Victoria Park Olympic stadium protesters join forces to form giant human ‘NO’. Picture: Liam Kidston

“New York City has never held an Olympics, do you know why? Because they weren’t willing to chip away at Central Park,” he said.

Mr Brannock said he would tie himself to a tree if the park was approved - a sentiment echoed by Ms Bremner.

Ms Bremner said if there was a “very poor decision” made to build a stadium at Victoria Park, they would “not stop” and would be seeking legal action.

When asked if he would tie himself to a tree, Mr Newton said he was “not about breaking the law” but would support the protesters “100%”.

He said his preferred site for the stadium was Hamilton North Shore, while MP Grace Grace said her preference was “anywhere but here”.

“I’ve lived in this electorate all my life. We don’t have enough green space and we need to protect everything we have,” she said.

Originally published as Hundreds protest against proposal of Victoria Park to be Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic stadium