Historic RNA Showgrounds wall demolished as 2032 works begin
A historic feature of the Brisbane Showgrounds adorned with local art has been demolished as part of the venue’s major upgrade ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Games.
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A historic wall at the Brisbane Showgrounds adorned with murals from street artists has been demolished as part of the venue’s regeneration ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Games.
The 60-year-old concrete wall, wrapping the corner of O’Connell Terrace and continuing along Brookes Street, has been torn down and new fencing will be erected in time for this year’s Ekka.
The wall had been a popular canvas for local street artists who painted metres-long, elaborate murals.
Royal National Association CEO Brendan Christou said a section of the perimeter wall had been supported with weights since July 2023.
He said as part of the RNA’s annual asset review structural engineers had recommended the wall be removed.
“The wall had been earmarked for removal as part of the ongoing regeneration project of the Brisbane Showgrounds,” he said.
“Due to the age and condition of the wall, it was not able to be salvaged or reused.”
Mr Christou said new fencing would remain until that area was redeveloped as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games Athletes Village project.
A construction start date for the village is yet to be announced.
“We are continuing to work closely with the State Government on progressing plans, designs and time frames,” Mr Christou said.
Brisbane City Council street art consultant and The Tervo Company director Matt Tervo said the wall was a great showcase of many talented local artists and it would be missed.
“Nobody wants to see any art disappear, but we have such a large catalogue that it’s not the end of the world,” he said.
“My understanding is that the RNA have been pretty supportive of art in the past, so I’m hoping that they’re just as sad to lose it and go, ‘well, we’ll just get some more’.”
Mr Tervo said in the lead up to 2032 after the Paris and LA Games, artists wanted Brisbane to be showcased as a world class art destination.
“If we have a few world class, high impact, multistorey walls, then that’s going to really help to put Brisbane on the map as a world leader in street art and I think it encourages more walls,” he said.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said through the South East Queensland City Deal Public Art Initiative more large-scale, multistorey murals in the CBD and suburbs were planned.
“Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital, with a proud record of delivering must-do destinations and enhancing our public spaces through art,” he said.
“Our legal Street Art Walls in Greenslopes, Annerley, Paddington and Tingalpa are a fantastic training ground for future muralists and create more to see and do in our suburbs.
“(The City Deal) would be an exciting opportunity to support local artists and strengthen Brisbane’s cultural identity.”
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Originally published as Historic RNA Showgrounds wall demolished as 2032 works begin
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