The starter gun has been fired on construction of the main stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

On Monday, Queensland’s Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority (GIICA) took possession of the site where the 63,000-seat Brisbane Stadium will be built at Victoria Park in Brisbane.

Set to open in time for the 2032 Olympics, the $3.8 billion stadium will serve as the Centerpiece for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

It will host the opening and closing ceremonies and will be the main venue for athletics and para-athletics during the games.

Beyond the Games, it will become Brisbane’s main oval stadium. It will serve as the home ground for the Brisbane Lions (AFL football), as well as the Brisbane Heat (T20 cricket) and will be a key cricket venue for Test, One Day and T20 matches.

It is being constructed as part of a $7.1 billion program to deliver games venue infrastructure which is being jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.

The transfer of possession comes after the Federal Government last month deemed that the project was ‘not a controlled action’ for the purposes of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

This means that the Australian Government does not consider that the project is likely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance and that no further Federal environmental approvals are required.

With the GIICA now having taken passion of the site, initial works to prepare for construction have commenced.

These works will focus on preparing the site for construction. They include ongoing investigations, early enabling works, demolition of some existing infrastructure and establishing construction areas on the Herston site of the park.

The contract award for the stadium early works is set to be awarded in coming months. Bulk earthworks are set to commence from late 2026 to early 2027.

Meanwhile, the stadium’s main construction partners are set to be appointed in coming months whilst the masterplan for the entire precinct will be released soon.

That masterplan will shape a world-class recreation and lifestyle hub that will connect Brisbane Stadium, the National Aquatic Centre and Brisbane Athletes Village during the Games as well as generational infrastructure for beyond 2032.

It is being developed by international architecture, engineering and design firm Arup

Temporary fencing has been installed around the perimeter and there are some changes to traffic and transport routes.

The North Brisbane Bikeway, York’s Hollow, Pump Track and some greenspace will remain open to the public.

However, key changes for residents include the closure of Gilchrist Avenue for traffic and parking as well as closure of access to the park from both the QUT and Herston bus stations.

On site traffic management and signage is in place to assist the transition and additional closures of parts of the park will be required as construction progresses.

The transfer of ownership took place after police removed an indigenous protest camp to make way for the handover.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli welcomed the latest milestone.

“It’s game on – we have a plan to deliver for the 2032 Games and beyond, and today, we get cracking on delivering it,” Crisafulli said.

“The eyes of the world will be on us in 2032, but this is about delivering legacy benefits for all of Queensland well beyond that.

“Victoria Park will be the beating sport, cultural and green heart of Brisbane, and a place all Queenslanders can be proud of.”

The stadium’s design team includes COX, Hassell, and Japan’s Azusa Sekkei.

 

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