Speech by Councillor Seal Chong Wah, to full Brisbane City Council Council Meeting, Tues 4th Feb 2025
Speaking in General Business.
I rise to speak on the proposal for a mega stadium in Victoria Park Barrambin, which means “Windy Place”.
Before European invasion, Barrambin was an open forest of grassy fields with large eucalypt trees: blue gum, apple, box, spotted gum and ironbark, not dissimilar to the way it looks now according to expert historians.
This was a meeting place for corroborees, agriculture, dancing, hunting and gathering. A place for other First Nations to visit and stay from other Nations.
In early colonial history, violent attacks were perpetrated against First Nations People in Victoria Park Barrambin. Many First Nations People were injured, killed, or forced off their land.
“For example, in 1846, during a gathering of some 400 Aboriginals, a party of four to 10 whites led by Constable Peter Murphy tried to apprehend Jackey Jackey (an Aboriginal resistance leader from the Lockyer region) whilst he was staying at Victoria Park. This resulted in a confrontation with the campers, who opposed Murphy’s action. Several Aboriginal residents were shot, wounded and some killed. The whole camp and its contents were burnt down, and many of the wounded fled.”
This is according to expert historians, Associate Professor Ray Kerkhove and Professor Ben Wilson, of University of Southern Queensland.
There has never been any justice for stealing this land, and attacking and murdering those people. The new LNP government abolished the state’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry, to bury this state’s racism. There’s no Treaty between this government and the First Nations People of this land, and no attempt to make things right.
And now, the sacred land of Victoria Park Barrambin - the ‘Windy Place’ - is under threat of a mega-stadium. Lord Mayor, and the LNP administration: You are fully aware of this. YOU consulted with First Nations Elders. YOU recognised its immense cultural heritage significance to the Yuggera and Turrbal People. YOU prepared the Master Plan to rewild the park. For YOU to turn around and support a mega stadium on this sacred land is shameful!
For context, imagine if the government proposed a mega stadium in New Farm Park or the Botanical Gardens? We know that people would be outraged, and this is the SAME thing! The Save Victoria Park group are angry residents who want to fight for this place, and they’ve got support citywide! We saw this on the weekend, when hundreds of people joined a Rally to Protect The Park.
Our community across Brisbane has connected with the park, with its rolling hills and flora and fauna. It is absolutely magnificent! It’s a park for EVERYONE, and especially our First Nations People, the rightful owners of this land.
This precious park was reserved for future residents of Brisbane in 1875. The developer and LNP proposal to carve it up for a stadium and private developers is disgusting!
This is the largest remaining park in inner-city Brisbane. It’s a legacy for our children's future.
Just 10 months ago, the new LNP Premier Crisafulli told us that “there can’t be new stadiums”, according to the Brisbane Times. Will he break a promise to residents of Brisbane? Will he break a promise to Queenslanders? Our community says NO to a stadium in this park.
The Save Victoria Park group will not stop. They will continue to ramp up and mobilise the residents to stop a stadium in our precious greenspace. I have heard there will be delays, peaceful civil disobedience and disruption!
Once lost, it’s lost forever. Our community will defend it!
References:
Kerkhove, R., & Wilson, B. (2023, September). Brisbane Grammar School Environs: Indigenous Sites and Indigenous History. https://www.savevictoriapark.com/resources/victoria-park-barrambin-indigenous-sites-and-indigenous-history
Northern Link. (2008, September). Phase 2 - Detailed Feasibility Study, Chapter 12: Cultural Heritage. https://eisdocs.dsdip.qld.gov.au/Legacy%20Way%20Project%20(Gazetted%20as%20Northern%20Link%20Road%20Tunnel)/EIS/Volume%201%20-%20EIS/12-cultural-heritage.pdf
Sriranganathan, J. (2024, July 24). The future of Barrambin/Victoria Park: Stadiums or koalas? https://www.jonathansri.com/koalasorstadiums/
The Old Museum. (n.d.). Traditional story of the land- Barrambin (York's Hollow). https://www.oldmuseum.au/post/traditionalstory
Turrbal. (n.d.). Our Story. https://www.turrbal.com.au/our-story