Press Statement: 25 March 2026
PRESS STATEMENT | 25 MARCH 2026
Save Victoria Park spokesperson Rosemary O’Hagan:
"What is the Queensland Government planning to do at Victoria Park Barrambin on June 01 this year?
“At this stage, there is no substantial design for the stadium. Saying it will be built ‘down near Gilchrist Avenue’ is a meaningless statement.
“June 01 will not be the 'start of the stadium build'; this is a public relations stunt to give the false impression the Crisafulli government is 'getting on with it'.
“We don’t buy it.
“Where are the results of the geotechnical studies conducted late last year?
“Where are the project validation reports confirming this massive new Olympic precinct is even viable?
“Where is the mandatory community consultation promised as part of the funding agreement with the Commonwealth?
“Can the state government even confirm who the civil works contractors for this project will be?
“The Deputy Premier wants to launch his public relations exercise before all of these crucial steps. This is a cynical move that shows complete disregard for the community.
“At this stage, the tens of thousands of people who live, work and study around Victoria Park know nothing more than what is announced at press conferences.
“This is a major health and education precinct with Queensland’s largest hospital at its heart. How will the staff and patients be impacted by this project?
“The community has a right to know but the government and its Games Infrastructure Authority are unable to disclose answers to these very basic questions.
“The fight is not over to save the park, and the government knows it.
“Save Victoria Park remains committed to protecting this park from the planned destruction and will continue to support the legal challenges to achieve that goal.”
Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation spokesperson and Federal Section 10 applicant Gaja Kerry Charlton:
“We are pursuing every legal avenue possible to protect our cultural heritage and we will continue to follow the federal process.
“We are pro Olympics, but we are anti-stadium in Barrambin. This project shows a lack of care for Aboriginal cultural heritage.
“We are also very concerned about the wider community, the tens of thousands of people affected by this. How many families will lose access to this beautiful green space, a place that keeps us all healthy?
“They are talking about something that will cost many billions of dollars to build, and people are already struggling with daily costs of living.
“There are other good places for stadiums. Existing stadiums that can be rejuvenated.
“Our Aboriginal values and principles are centred on our grandchildren’s grandchildren. What legacy are we leaving for them?
“Leave cultural heritage alone for both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous, black and white.”
Media note:
There are multiple Section 10 applications to protect Victoria Park Barrambin under the Federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act that are yet to be resolved.
Last month, the Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt acknowledged the profound cultural significance of Victoria Park Barrambin to the traditional custodians of Brisbane.