Olympic construction advance as Victoria Park handed over to GIICA despite ongoing protests.
- Roman Mackinnon
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
It's the crown jewel in Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure - Victoria Park - handed over the Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority (GIICA) today, June 1.
Once complete, the 63,000 seat stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field events throughout the Olympics, before becoming the new home for the Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket.
The move didn't come without backlash from some - protesting repelling the move over the weekend. Multiple people were arrested on Friday afternoon when Police and council officers began to dismantle tents from the Goori Embassy Camp. The camp had been running for 71 days before police 'forcibly removed' them from the sacred fire at 1am on Monday - just an hour after the land had been officially handed over to GIICA.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has already rejected 2 emergency heritage protection challenges that were aimed at delaying works. 6 News understands 5 more challenges are currently being reviewed by the Minister. The Victoria Park complex were forced to vacate the premises by June 1. The complex hosted weddings, functions, a driving range, putt putt and a bistro area. The complex welcomed 500,000 each year - with 220 people losing their job overnight.
Premier David Crisafulli reminding protesters of the unsafe environment now around Victoria Park - as construction crews move in.
Crisafulli also went on to say that two thirds of the parkland will still remain public greenspace after construction and the stadium will be incorporated into the space's topography, with plans for multi-level entry and exit points around the stadium.
