Excavators move in as construction works begin
Diggers moved into Victoria Park as Premier David Crisafulli defended the forcible removal of First Nations protesters from the area.
As the Prime Minister began a media conference on Monday to celebrate the handing over of the park to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority, diggers were moving through the hills to begin preliminary exploration work.
Speaking on the deck of the Victoria Park events centre, which will serve as GIICA’s site office during construction, Crisafulli said it was time to “move on”.
“Everyone has the right to protest, but as of midnight this [became] “It is a construction site and this would not be safe not only for them but also for the workers,” he said.
“It’s our duty to pay attention to that. But they can continue to protest, of course they can.”
What remained of the Goori Camp Embassy following Friday’s evacuation was removed around 1am on Monday morning after GIICA took control of the area.
“We outlined this plan 12 months ago and they have been there for a little over a month,” Crisafulli said.
“They were notified when it would be on site, it went into effect. Now we continue our work.”
GIICA chief executive Simon Crooks said the urgent work would involve removing existing services in the park underground.
“There are a lot more test pits to be done throughout the park,” he said.
“We started about a month ago, but we still have a lot of work to do and the excavation work will start shortly.”
Crooks said there was a long way to go before construction of the 63,000-seat Brisbane Stadium could begin.
“I won’t be in a position this year where I’m comfortable letting design drawings go to construction,” he said.
But Crisafulli said he was confident the project would be completed in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The fact that we are starting work here early shows that we have no time to waste,” he said.
“We are continuing this work and these early works give us a head start rather than waiting for the head contractor who will have to carry out these works later.
“That could push it back a few months.”
Crisafulli was joined by young players from the Western Australian Rules Football Club and a symbolic first breakthrough was made at the stadium; The stadium was very symbolic as it was a few hundred meters away from the stadium area.
Post-Games Brisbane Stadium will serve as the city’s AFL and cricket home following the demolition of the Gabba after 2032.
“We really love the Gabba,” said Brisbane Lions CEO Sam Graham.
“Our players love playing there, our fans love going there. But simply put, we’re over it and this city is over it.”
“This new stadium at Victoria Park will enable our existing members and fans to enjoy football in a world-class stadium.”
As the Lions celebrated, Save Victoria Park spokeswoman Sue Bremner said she was hopeful the stadium could be stopped despite GIICA’s move.
“Our strategy has always been to support First Nations people in their chapter 10 applications,” he said.
“This process is still ongoing and we urge the state government to wait until this process is over.
“It’s just a matter of respect and I don’t think it should be a difficult question.”
Crisafulli said he was not concerned about First Nations applications to protect an area of the park under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.
“I have every confidence that we can continue to move forward and get things done,” he said.
“We’ve set a timeline and today we’re moving forward exactly as we said we would – and that’s what Queenslanders want from us.”
Start your day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
