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Nearly five years have passed since Brisbane was awarded the rights to host the Olympics, and tomorrow marks the beginning of construction on the main stadium. This pivotal development will take place at Victoria Park, which will soon be closed to the public.
Despite the project’s significance, a group of determined protesters has made a final stand, rallying at the site in a fervent attempt to halt the development.
In a dramatic show of resistance, hundreds of demonstrators gathered along Herston Road, making a last-minute effort to prevent any changes to the future location of the Brisbane Olympic Stadium.
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Within hours, Victoria Park, will be closed to the public, But desperate protesters haven’t gone down without a fight, swarming the site in a last-ditch effort to block the build. Nine
Hundreds lined Herston Road in an eleventh-hour bid to keep hands off the site that will be home to the Brisbane Olympic Stadium.
Campaigners said they were “appalled” and “outraged”.
“I’m prepared to fight for it until its saved,” one person pledged.
“I think it’s a tragedy that it’s going to be bulldozed and concreted over,” another said.
On Friday two protesters were arrested.
At midnight on Sunday Victoria Park, will close to the public.
A new stadium with the ability to seat 63,000 spectators will be built in Victoria Park, Brisbane. Supplied
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Heavy machinery has been moved in and fences have already gone up, sparking violent clashes on Friday between police and traditional owners who had set up camp.
“This is our land, always was, always will be,” Aboriginal Elder Theresa Williams said.
Today officers watched from afar and overnight it was expected the tents would come down.
“The reality is it’s a construction site and no one’s going to be able to be on the construction site, so they’re gonna have to be moved on,” Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said.
Former premier Campbell Newman said: “We’re about to lose something precious due to an act of barbarism.”
Tomorrow, the land will no longer be owned by the council but the Olympic Games Delivery Authority.
Nine News has obtained exclusive mapping revealing which parts of the park will be shut down and where access will remain.
From tonight, fencing will close off the green space surrounded by the Inner Northern Busway, and Gilchrist Avenue including a section, which borders the ICB. Nine
Fencing will close off the green space surrounded by the Inner Northern Busway, and Gilchrist Avenue including a section that borders the ICB.
The central footpath and bikeway will remain open while building is under way, as will the site of the future aquatic centre where Centenary Pool currently sits and the urban pump track.
But there will be no pedestrian access from the QUT or Herston Bus Stations.
It’s the end for the Victoria Park Golf Complex, with locals turning out to say farewell to the driving range, putt putt course, and bistro.
But the premier maintains this is generational infrastructure in the making.
“It’ll be there for concerts, it’ll be there for sport, it’ll be there as a green space for people to be able to go and enjoy every single day,” David Crisafulli sadi.
Junior footy player Beau Martel will turn the first sod on the building site.
When construction begins it’ll mark one of the most significant milestones towards becoming an Olympic city since Brisbane secured the games in 2021 – but protesters say it won’t bring an end to their campaign
“We have not given up, it is not a done deal, and we are still fighting, and we need you,” Sue Bremner from Save Victoria Park said.