The Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority (GIICA) has officially taken possession of Brisbane’s Victoria Park today as work begins on the new Brisbane Stadium.
The 63,000-seat stadium will be the centrepiece of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In a statement, the Queensland Government said the stadium footprint would comprise a third of the park space, with two-thirds to be green and public space.
It said parts of the park on the Herston side would be fenced with some changes to traffic and transport routes.
Gilchrist Avenue will be closed for traffic and parking and access to the park will no longer be available from the QUT and Herston bus stations.
York’s Hollow, a popular Pump Track, and some greenspace will remain accessible.
Brisbane Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies and athletics at the 2032 Games.
After the Games it will become Brisbane’s main oval stadium and home ground for:
- The Brisbane Lions
- Brisbane Heat
- Queensland Bulls
- International cricket
The new Brisbane Stadium is part of the $7.1 billion Games Venues Infrastructure Program jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government.
The stadium’s main construction partners will be appointed in the next few months, and the entire precinct draft masterplan will also be released soon.
The masterplan is being developed by Arup who have been tasked with shaping a world-class recreation and lifestyle hub, connecting Brisbane Stadium, the National Aquatic Centre and Brisbane Athletes Village during the Games, and “generational infrastructure” for beyond 2032.
Premier David Crisafulli said the start of early works at Victoria Park was a milestone moment for Queensland.
“It’s game on – we have a plan to deliver for the 2032 Games and beyond, and today, we get cracking on delivering it,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“The eyes of the world will be on us in 2032, but this is about delivering legacy benefits for all of Queensland well beyond that.”
GIICA Chairman Stephen Conry AM said Queenslanders could be confident that GIICA would care for the park through the construction period.
It would also return it to the people of Queensland in 2032 with an “amazing” new Stadium and National Aquatic Centre, alongside improved and more usable green space for many more people to enjoy.
Brisbane Lions Chief Executive Officer Sam Graham said the club was pleased with the progress being made to date.
“As we have seen in other cities across the county, new stadiums are generational assets, they shape cities, economies and communities and this will be a venue that is welcoming and accessible to everyone, for decades to come,” Mr Graham said.
Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Terry Svenson said the anticipation of hosting major cricket events at the Stadium in the wake of a successful 2032 Games was “captivating”.
First nations groups staged a protest on the weekend against the plans for the site.
YMAC Elders of Magandjin released a statement saying they were deeply disappointed at action by Brisbane City Council and Queensland Police to move on community camps in Victoria Park.
They said the camps were established as peaceful spaces for cultural gathering, truth-telling, advocacy, and the exercising of democratic rights by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and supporters.
“Victoria Park is a place of significance to many First Nations peoples, and the concerns being raised by community members deserve to be heard with dignity and respect,” the elders said.
Further details about Brisbane Stadium and Victoria Park, including access maps, can be found here.
