Construction of the Brisbane Olympic Stadium could be jeopardized due to allegations of buried graves on the site.
Federal Review Underway for Indigenous Group's Appeal Against Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium
The construction of a 63,000-seater Olympic Stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Games, planned for Victoria Park, is currently the subject of an ongoing federal review. The review is a result of an application for permanent legal protection of Victoria Park, lodged by the Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) and the Save Victoria Park group.
The application, made under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act, seeks to protect the park due to concerns about ancestral remains, ancient trees, artefacts, and important ecosystems on the site. The federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and the Australian government have confirmed receipt and are currently reviewing the application.
Victoria Park, a partly state heritage-listed area, is culturally and ecologically significant. The proposed stadium, costing approximately A$3.8 billion, would utilize federal funding for its construction. The Queensland government fast-tracked legislation to override multiple environmental and heritage laws to facilitate stadium construction. However, the Indigenous group's appeal aims to halt development to protect the park's cultural values and history.
The Queensland Premier David Crisafulli announced the stadium plans in March, despite previous pledges that a new stadium would not be built. YMAC spokesperson Gaja Kerry Charlton stated that Victoria Park is a place of great significance and history, not only for Yagara people but for other First Nations and non-Aboriginal people as well.
Legal experts have warned that the review could take years, and activists are concerned that construction may proceed before any decision is made. In response, consideration is being given to alternative emergency actions to stop work on site. The government is currently reviewing the application and plans to engage with the applicant, the proponent, and the Queensland government in standard steps to progress it.
As of early August 2025, the appeal remains active, with no final decision announced. The fate of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium construction in Victoria Park hangs in the balance, awaiting the outcome of this federal review.
[1] ABC News Australia. (2025, July 1). Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium: Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation lodges appeal. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-01/brisbane-2032-olympic-stadium-yagara-magandjin-aboriginal-corporation/134725986
[2] The Guardian. (2025, July 2). Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium: Indigenous group lodges appeal to halt construction. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/02/brisbane-2032-olympic-stadium-indigenous-group-lodges-appeal-to-halt-construction
[4] The Australian. (2025, July 3). Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium: Federal review underway for Indigenous group's appeal. Retrieved from https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/brisbane-2032-olympic-stadium-federal-review-underway-for-indigenous-groups-appeal/news-story/46268c869a0619268b0e13c7533a75f0
[5] The Sydney Morning Herald. (2025, July 4). Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium: Construction could proceed before review decision, activists warn. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/national/brisbane-2032-olympic-stadium-construction-could-proceed-before-review-decision-activists-warn-20250704-p58z0s.html
- In light of the ongoing federal review over the appeal made by the Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation, political discussions have revolved around the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium's construction, with sporting events like the Champions League and general news outlets reporting on this evolving situation.
- As the development of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium, planned for Victoria Park, is put on hold due to legal disputes, the focus of the local politics has shifted to policy-and-legislation regarding the park's protection, as well as the management and distribution of federal funding allocated for stadium construction.
- Meanwhile, football enthusiasts across Europe and beyond eagerly await the new season of the Champions League and other European leagues, paying less attention to the ongoing dispute between Indigenous groups and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium project.
