Olympic legislation to steamroll planning laws
Opponents of Brisbane 2032 Olympic venues planned for inner-city Victoria Park have vowed to keep up the fight, as the Queensland government introduced legislation on Thursday designed to steamroll planning laws that could hold up the projects.
Two marquee Olympic venues – the Brisbane Stadium and the National Aquatic Centre – are planned for Victoria Park, despite Premier David Crisafulli’s pre-election pledge the park would not be developed.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie introduced the amendments to the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangement Act, which it claimed would streamline the delivery of 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure, late Thursday.
Render of the proposed National Aquatic Centre at Victoria Park.Credit: Archipelago
The legislative changes will effectively make all Games-related developments legal.
Opponents of a stadium at Victoria Park have cited the heritage listing afforded to some parts of the site, and applied to add similar protections for the former golf course. A decision on the latest application is pending.
Save Victoria Park spokeswoman Rosemary O’Hagan said the government’s move was a “slap in the face” for democracy.
“To the premier, we say: this move does not stop us, it strengthens our resolve. Legal actions are being prepared,” she said.
“To the International Olympic Committee we ask: is this the promised ‘new norm’ legacy for Queensland? The demolition of one of Brisbane’s most significant First Nations cultural sites, and the gutting of our laws?
Planning laws overridden by the Crisafulli government’s new Olympic delivery legislation
- The City of Brisbane Act 2010
- The Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995
- The Economic Development Act 2012
- The Environmental Offsets Act 2014
- The Environmental Protection Act 1994
- The Fisheries Act 1994
- The Integrated Resort Development Act 1987
- The Local Government Act 2009
- The Nature Conservation Act 1992
- The Planning Act 2016
- The Queensland Heritage Act 1992
- The Regional Planning Interests Act 2014
- The South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009
- The Vegetation Management Act 1999
- The Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008
“To the thousands of people from across Brisbane and the world who stand with us, please know: we will not back down.
“Save Victoria Park remains committed to protecting this precious parkland, our city’s green lungs, for generations to come.”
A conceptual render of the Victoria Park stadium released by the government in March.Credit: Queensland government
Introducing the bill in parliament late Thursday afternoon, Bleijie, who had oversight of Olympic delivery, said the legislation would put the Games back on track to deliver a legacy for Queensland.
“With the size of this infrastructure investment, it’s important to ensure a clear pathway for delivery with the appropriate oversight and clear accountability as outlined in the legislation,” he said.
“We have the time to deliver this plan, as long as we get started now.”
The legislation had the backing of Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
“The Brisbane 2032 Games have always been about fast-tracking the projects our community needs long after the four-week event has ended,” he said.
“This legislation will help to ensure we deliver a lasting legacy before the Games that benefits generations to come.
“With the Crisafulli government’s plan now locked in, now is the time to get on with delivering a positive legacy for our city, our state and our nation.”
Council Labor opposition leader Jared Cassidy was less enthusiastic.
“There was never a risk of Adrian Schrinner getting in the way of building work,” he said.
“This LNP council can’t even keep up with infrastructure to address Brisbane’s crippling congestion crisis.”
Comment was sought from the Local Government Association of Queensland.
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