With the Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority (GIICA) taking possession of the site at midnight last night, works have started to put a stadium in the park.
“It’s game on – we have a plan to deliver for the 2032 Games and beyond, and today, we get cracking on delivering it,” said Queensland Premier David Crisafulli.
“The eyes of the world will be on us in 2032, but this is about delivering legacy benefits for all of Queensland well beyond that.
“Victoria Park will be the beating sport, cultural and green heart of Brisbane, and a place all Queenslanders can be proud of.”
The start of stadium works comes just over a year after the state government announced the infrastructure plan for the Olympics, overturning decisions made by the previous government.
Since then, global built environment consultancy Arup has been working on the masterplan for the new Victoria Park precinct, while a trio of architecture firms, including two Australian companies, COX and Hassell, and a Japanese firm, Azusa Sekkei, were appointed to design the stadium at the start of 2026.
In April, two consortium bids were shortlisted to build the stadium – Besix Watpac collaborating with John Holland and Built and Sacyr in partnership.
“This is an exciting day for GIICA and for all of Queensland as we get on site and begin our work at Victoria Park,” said GIICA chair Stephen Conry AM.
“Queenslanders can be confident that GIICA will care for the park through the construction period, returning it to the people of Queensland in 2032 with an amazing new stadium and National Aquatic Centre, alongside improved and more usable green space for many more people to enjoy rather than just the few, with improved accessibility and activations.”
The project has not been without opposition, with protests taking place, including on Sunday, by those who object to a stadium being built in the park for cultural and heritage reasons.
The federal environment minister Murray Watt also confirmed on Sunday that he would take no action on two applications received in April to protect Victoria Park under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 in relation to the works starting today. Watt said he had received 10 applications for protection of Victoria Park, although two have been withdrawn.
The stadium is expected to be complete in 2031 and will host the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics, as well as the athletics program.
