Geotechnical surveys will begin within days to determine the best site in Victoria Park to build the Brisbane 2032 main stadium, which now will be partially funded by the Federal Government.
Speaking at a media event today Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said, despite a leaked report surfacing earlier in the day detailing plans to locate the stadium in the southern end of the park, over a culturally sensitive waterhole, no decision had been made.
“Despite some wonderful pictures I’ve seen in the media today, no location has been chosen for the site of Victoria Park stadium,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
He said investigative works at Victoria Park for the new Brisbane Stadium were imminent.
“We’re not mucking around. I would suspect next week you are going to start seeing some work (in Victoria Park).
Deputy Premier Bleijie said geotechnical studies, such as borehole drilling and soil sampling, were essential in deciding on the best site for the stadium.
He said cultural sensitivities would also be taken into account, noting recent changes to planning laws did not include cultural heritage.
“In the legislation that we passed parliament last week, there were two elements to the overriding provisions.
“One was dealing with environment laws, heritage laws, planning laws, local government laws, and there was a complete override, but we actually did carve out the cultural heritage provisions for First Nations Australians.
“We will go through a process of consulting with First Nations about Victoria Park.”
The new stadium build will also need Federal Government sign-off, following the long-awaited signing a new intergovernmental funding agreement.
Deputy Premier Bleijie said the deal, signed this week, included the Federal Government transferring $1.2b, previously allocated to the Brisbane Arena, to the Brisbane Stadium.
He said the deal committed both levels of government to a 50-50 funding split for minor venues and a full reallocation of the Arena funding.
“$1.2m in Federal funds will go towards the Brisbane Stadium, and the remaining $584,000,000 reserve will be held for the wider venue program.”
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, who also spoke at the event, said the funding agreement came with conditions around a whole-of-precinct approach to the Victoria Park development.
“For Brisbane Stadium, as part of our funding conditions, the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council will develop a new precinct plan for the area with a focus on access to green space, a stakeholder engagement plan, as well as a transport connectivity plan,” Minister King said.
“Appropriate consultation will also be undertaken with stakeholders including impacted communities and First Nations groups.”
