Speech by Councillor Seal Chong Wah, to full Brisbane City Council Council Meeting, Tues 25th Mar 2025

I rise to speak on Victoria Park-Barrambin and the proposed Olympic stadium.

Today, I was at Howard Smith Wharves protesting with the Save Victoria Park group, and speaking to the news media, while our Premier announced the results of our new LNP state government’s backroom deals, on the billions of dollars available for stadium infrastructure development. 

They had 100 days of wheeling and dealing with big developers about where they wanted new stadiums.

The State Premier, Crisafulli, announced, at this "fully booked" paid event of donors, developers and LNP influencers, that a new Olympic stadium will be built in Victoria Park Barrambin.

As the Brisbane times reported live from the event, and I quote: “At the centre of the plan, there will be a stadium at Victoria Park,” Crisafulli said.

“Hear, hear,” called out Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, to erupting applause from the paying crowd.

Outside, protesters from the Save Victoria Park community group were lining the footpath with placards in opposition to the new stadium."

Let me be clear, this is an anti-community decision by a group of arrogant and uncaring politicians and greedy developers, who have been behind this plan all along. This is a State Government reneging on a major election pledge only 148 days into their term.

Despite repeated requests, the LNP State Premier has constantly refused to even meet with the Save Victoria Park group. Clearly the LNP cabinet and the LNP council administration do not care about legal agreements they have made with the International Olympic Committee. 

The official agreement between the IOC and the Qld State Government and Brisbane City Council, stipulates that new Olympic venues must not be constructed adjacent to or within cultural protected areas. A significant part of Victoria park is a state heritage-listed place. This decision is breaking a very clear legal contract between the Host and the IOC that new venues will not be built on, or adjacent to, state cultural heritage sites.  

There is no legal doubt that the state government is proposing venues on or adjacent to a State cultural heritage site. The Olympic host agreement is a legally binding document. Constructing an Olympic stadium in Victoria Park-Barrambin will be breaking clause 15.3, which is in the highest order of Contract agreements. There is no doubt in my mind that the protection of Barrambin and the arrogant decision that this culturally protected park can be sacrificed for an Olympic stadium will become the focus of an international campaign. 

The world has been experiencing an increasing amount of international environmental oversight of Olympic games constructions. That is exactly why the IOC have put in these clauses.

I would not be surprised if we see significant international support for our campaign to protect and preserve Barrambin.  

I also want to take a moment to thank all of the dedicated and passionate community members that have been part of the ‘Save Victoria Park Barrambin’ campaign! 

Whatever ‘backroom dealing’ LNP politicians think, this campaign is not over.