Indigenous group launches legal challenge to halt Brisbane's 2032 Olympic stadium

A First Nations group has launched legal action to stop the construction of the main stadium for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics being built on what it calls culturally significant land.

The Queensland Government announced in March that a new $3.8 billion 63,000-seat stadium would be built on a 60 hectare site at Brisbane’s Victoria Park - a former golf course.

Adjacent sites are also proposed as locations for a 25,000-seat national aquatic centre, a warm-up track and other infrastructure.

As of June, the Queensland Government passed legislation to ensure all venues built for the 2032 Games will be exempt from major planning rules.

Nonetheless, the Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) and Save Victoria Park group have lodged an application with the Federal Government for permanent legal protection of the park, under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.

Advising of the significance of the site, YMAC spokeswoman Gaja Kerry Charlton explained that Victoria Park, also known as Barrambin, is "of great significance and history" for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, noting “we are very concerned there are ancient trees, artefacts and very important ecosystems existing there. There may be ancestral remains."

In the 19th century, the site served as the town camp for up to 1,500 Indigenous people who are reported to have been the victims of at least one massacre.

A spokesperson for Federal Environment Minister, Murray Watt confirmed it had received the request to designate the site under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.

The spokesperson advised “the department is currently reviewing this application and will take all standard steps to progress it, including engaging with the applicant, the proponent and the Queensland government.”

It built, the stadium will host athletics events and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2032 Games. After the Olympic and Paralympic Games it will become the home of AFL and cricket in Queensland.

Prior to assuming government last year, current Queensland Premier David Crisafulli had promised not to build any new stadiums for the Olympics, and specifcally not to build one in Victoria Park.

Image: Concept for the development of the main stadium for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane's Victoria Park. Credit: Queensland Government.