Government declines to protect Indigenous sacred site to be bulldozed for Brisbane Olympic stadium
Summary
The Australian federal government decided not to stop building an Olympic stadium on Victoria Park in Brisbane, a site considered sacred by Indigenous groups. The environment minister said further reviews on heritage protection would continue while construction goes ahead amid protests.Key Facts
- The government declined to use the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act to halt stadium construction.
- Victoria Park is claimed by Turrbal and Yagara Peoples as a sacred Indigenous site with birthing and burial places.
- The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) will build a 63,000-seat stadium for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
- Protesters, including First Nations groups, have gathered to oppose the construction and have been involved in arrests.
- Environment Minister Murray Watt appointed a reporter to examine if the site needs longer-term protection.
- Brisbane city council is transferring the land to GIICA as part of the Olympic development.
- State government and Brisbane council say the site will become a world-class venue and improve parkland.
- The protest camp was described as a safety concern by local authorities, urging protesters to leave.
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