Victoria Park Protection Requests Denied Before Olympic Stadium Construction

By Lucy Loram

By Claudia Williams

Topic: Olympic Games Venues

Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 4:21 pm

People from the Save Victoria Park group protested against the Olympic stadium on Sunday.

In short:

Two cultural heritage protection applications for Brisbane's Olympic stadium at Victoria Park have been rejected.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt says his department is still reviewing five more applications.

What's next?

The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority will take over Victoria Park from the Brisbane City Council at midnight to start early works on the stadium.

The federal government has rejected two cultural heritage protection applications for Brisbane's Victoria Park before construction starts on the 63,000-seat Olympic stadium on Monday.

From midnight, the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority will take over Victoria Park to begin early works.

This decision comes despite protests against the government's decision to build a new stadium for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Indigenous groups say the site is culturally significant and fear losing sacred springs and trees if construction proceeds.

Other community groups want to preserve the inner-city parklands and green space.

The stadium will hold 63,000 spectators when completed.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has received 10 applications to protect an area of the park under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.

Murray Watt said he could not satisfy the requirements for the two applications he assessed.

Murray Watt acknowledged the area's importance to the Turrbal and Yagara Peoples.

Murray Watt encourages all parties to engage as his department reviews five more applications.

He said his department is assessing another application and four more under a different section of the Act.

A section 10 reporter will work with interested parties to review the issues before determining if longer-term protections are needed.

Murray Watt encourages all parties to engage in the process openly and transparently.

The Act does not have the power to stop work, and there are no timeframes for determining applications.

Supporters of Victoria Park gathered to oppose the stadium's construction on Sunday.

Groups vow to keep fighting

On Sunday, hundreds of people gathered at Victoria Park to oppose the stadium's construction.

Organiser Sue Bremner said they had not given up and were still fighting.

Councillor Seal Chong Wah said the sacred land of Victoria Park should be protected.

Seal Chong Wah said the Olympics are destroying the Aboriginal nation.

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman also addressed the crowd.

Campbell Newman spoke at the protest against the Olympic stadium at Victoria Park.

Campbell Newman said these places will be more precious as the city grows and need to be saved.

This fight is not over because it is too important to let go.

Five people were arrested after police entered a camp opposing the stadium on Friday.

Police entered a protest camp at Victoria Park on Friday.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said people on the site after the transfer would be moved.

It is not safe for protesters and workers on a construction site.

The protesters had ample opportunity to vacate Victoria Park.

The state government exempted the project from heritage, environmental, and planning laws last year.

Fencing has been put up at Victoria Park ahead of construction on the Olympic stadium.

The last wedding

The Victoria Park venue will stop trading at midnight.

The management team marked the end of 27 years as a sporting and hospitality destination.

The priority is to support the over 220 staff and customers during the closure.

The last couple to get married at Victoria Park was Amy Plumridge and Izak Hethorn.

Amy Plumridge and Izak Hethorn celebrated their marriage at Victoria Park on Saturday.

The couple frequented the putt-putt course and driving range at Victoria Park.

But they are not very good at it.

Izak Hethorn said it was surreal to be the last couple married at the venue.

The venue has over a decade of history for the couple.

Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 4:21 pm

Monday, June 1, 2026, at 8:57 am

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