Correspondence with Leader of the Opposition, David Crisafulli - Commitment to No New Stadiums
Email to David Crisafulli
29 May 2024
Mr David Crisafulli
Leader of the Opposition
Dear Mr Crisafulli
Victoria Park was established in 1864 for the purpose of a public park. Since then, the parcel of 130 hectares initially set aside has been reduced to 64 hectares by re-designation to non-park uses. This loss of area occurred despite significant portions of Victoria Park being heritage listed and with a Deed of Grant in Trust in place.
Brisbane is a rapidly growing city and it’s vital that precious open green space such as Victoria Park be protected for all time.
The March 2024 Quirk Report recommended that a 55,000 seat stadium be built in Victoria Park for the Olympics; and even given the government’s rejection of this idea, there has been continuing pressure from business interests and commentators for a stadium in the park.
The Save Victoria Park group requests;
that you assure our communities that a government led by you will never build a stadium in Victoria Park and further,
that you commit to protecting this park as a fully accessible, public open green space for future generations by introducing appropriate legislation during the next parliamentary term (an indicative draft of such legislation is attached).
Notwithstanding the finalised details of any amendment, we seek your formal commitment to protect Victoria Park in such a way so that Brisbane residents may cast an informed vote at the ballot box for the 2024 election.
Yours sincerely
Sue Bremner
Save Victoria Park Campaign
Rosemary O’Hagan
Herston and Kelvin Grove Residents Action Group
Neil Peach
Spring Hill Community Group
Tony Thelander
Normanby Action Group
Response
Mon, 10 Jun, 14:23
Dear Sue, Neil, Rosemary and Tony,
Thank you for your email regarding the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The 2032 Games present a unique opportunity for Queensland. Unfortunately since we were awarded the Games in 2021 there have been approximately 1,000 days of chaos. In contrast, the LNP is asking Queenslanders to give us 100 days to sort out the mess and salvage Queensland’s reputation on the world stage.
If elected in October, the LNP will immediately appoint an independent Olympic Coordination Authority to conduct an exhaustive review of the Olympics and Paralympics. The authority will be required to deliver options within 100 days on the following very clear scope:
PRIORITISE roads and rail infrastructure necessary for the Games.
USE existing venues (this means no new stadiums like the Victoria Park proposal).
ACHIEVE this with a funding envelope that is no greater than what is currently on the table.
PRESENT legacy options for not only Brisbane, but regional Queensland as well.
If the LNP is elected we will restore the process Queenslanders were promised at the start and we will return hope for these Games. For 1,000 days Labor has torched the Games. We are asking Queenslanders for 100 days to fix the mess.
Thank you for taking the time to contact David Crisafulli about this matter.
Kind regards,
Toby
Office of David Crisafulli MP | Leader of the Opposition
Phone: (07) 3838 6767
Level 9, 63 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000
PO Box 15057, City East Qld 4002