Work has officially begun at the Victoria Park site earmarked for Brisbane’s new Olympic stadium, with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli declaring that while opponents are free to voice their concerns, they cannot do so “between excavators and bulldozers.”
Ownership of the land transferred from Brisbane City Council to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority at midnight, clearing the way for early works on the $3.6 billion, 63,000‑seat stadium that will host AFL, cricket and major events during the 2032 Olympics. Crisafulli marked the milestone on Monday alongside representatives from the Brisbane Lions and Cricket Australia, calling the project a transformative investment.
“We are going to create a world‑class green space, bookended by a world‑class stadium for a world‑class event for a state on the rise,” he said.
The celebrations followed several days of protests, including a large gathering on Sunday led by Save Victoria Park, which is campaigning to preserve the parklands and green space. Indigenous groups have also voiced strong opposition, warning that construction threatens culturally significant springs and trees.
Police removed the final protesters in the early hours of Monday morning. Authorities said no arrests or charges were laid as activists were moved on peacefully.
Crisafulli acknowledged the right to protest but stressed that safety must come first as heavy machinery moves onto the site. The state government maintains that the redevelopment will deliver both a world‑class stadium and enhanced public green space though opponents remain unconvinced.
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