The state’s environment department has recommended heritage listing for the site designated for Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic stadium. This comes as the government prepares to pass legislation that would override numerous protections if they impede the development of Olympic venues.
Premier David Crisafulli announced in March that a new Olympic and Paralympic Games stadium would be built at Victoria Park. Shortly thereafter, Department of the Environment director Xanthe O’Donnell recommended expanding the park’s heritage protection and revising its statement of cultural heritage significance. The recommendation to the Heritage Council described Victoria Park as “important in demonstrating the establishment and evolution of Queensland’s early public recreation reserves.”
The application for heritage listing will now be considered by the Queensland Heritage Council. Meanwhile, the government’s bill, introduced earlier this month, will empower the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection Act and the Queensland Heritage Act.
Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Jarrod Bleijie emphasized that the new legislation is crucial for delivering Games infrastructure “on time and on budget.” He stated, “After more than 1,200 wasted days under Labor, we are getting on with the job of delivering a winning legacy for Queensland. The decision to introduce these new laws was not taken lightly but they are necessary to make up for Labor’s wasted three years, which require a specific streamlined approval process to implement the 2032 Delivery Plan.
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