‘Blinding hypocrisy’: Laws to fast track 2032 Olympic projects come under fire

Controversial Queensland laws to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with the Crisafulli government told to “go back to the drawing board”.

An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create.

The clock is ticking for the Games after the state government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March – more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city.

A conceptual render of the Victoria Park stadium released by the government in March.Credit: Queensland government

A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation acts.

The laws, which will cover all venues and athletes’ villages, are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government – not local councils.

The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation.

The Save Victoria Park advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge.Credit: William Davis

But in submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government’s “blinding hypocrisy”.

“It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities,” the council’s Dave Copeman told the hearing.

“The hypocrisy is kind of blinding.”

Olympic organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games.

But Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but the concerns of Indigenous people.

Advocacy group Save Victoria Park is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed stadium’s impact on the heritage status and environment of the inner-city park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities.

“It’s going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming: ‘Welcome to this great facility, where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here’,” Copeman said.

“We’ve got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws.

“I’d take your pencils out ... there’s some real work for this committee to do.”

Victoria Park is celebrating its 150th year. Credit: William Davis

Louisa Bonner, chief executive of charity Ngaran Goori, said Indigenous communities should be consulted about what’s happening on country and how it affects them.

“We feel like we’re being dragged along to have to agree with something,” she told the committee.

“It’s not that we either agree or disagree, it’s just that we don’t have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that – or even consideration.”

Victoria Park, which is celebrating its 150th year, is expected to become the hub of the Games, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre to be built.

AAP