
'Go back to drawing board': 2032 planning laws slammed
An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create.
The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city.
A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts.
The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils.
The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation.
In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'.
"It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing.
"The hypocrisy is kind of blinding."
Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games.
But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns.
An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities.
"It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said.
"We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws.
"I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do."
Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them.
"We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee.
"It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration."
Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built.
Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year.
Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board".
An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create.
The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city.
A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts.
The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils.
The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation.
In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'.
"It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing.
"The hypocrisy is kind of blinding."
Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games.
But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns.
An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities.
"It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said.
"We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws.
"I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do."
Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them.
"We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee.
"It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration."
Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built.
Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year.
Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board".
An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create.
The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city.
A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts.
The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils.
The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation.
In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'.
"It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing.
"The hypocrisy is kind of blinding."
Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games.
But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns.
An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities.
"It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said.
"We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws.
"I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do."
Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them.
"We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee.
"It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration."
Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built.
Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year.
Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board".
An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create.
The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city.
A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts.
The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils.
The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation.
In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'.
"It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing.
"The hypocrisy is kind of blinding."
Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games.
But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns.
An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities.
"It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said.
"We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws.
"I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do."
Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them.
"We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee.
"It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration."
Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built.
Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Billions locked in as deal secures Games' future
A deal locking in billions for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been struck between Queensland and the federal government to give the Brisbane event "certainty". Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie trumpeted the deal, which includes both governments committing 50-50 funding for minor venues, a full relocation of funding for the Brisbane Arena and $1.2 billion of federal funds towards a main stadium at Brisbane's Victoria Park. The Brisbane Arena, which the federal government was set to stump up $2.5 billion for, was scrapped during a 100-day review to determine the infrastructure plan for the Games. Mr Bleijie said a market-led proposal for the 17,000-seat arena with private sector interest would provide better benefits for taxpayers. Funding for the Games is split equally between both the state and federal governments under a $7.1 billion envelope. The federal government is set to invest more than $3.4 billion in the Games - the single largest contribution towards sporting infrastructure in Australia's history, federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said. "It is about ensuring that when we hand the keys back after the closing ceremony, Queensland has the infrastructure it needs to build on this incredible legacy for decades to come," Ms King said. "Our most decentralised state will become home to the most decentralised Games." The centrepiece of Brisbane 2032 is a proposed $3.7 billion, 63,000-seat stadium at the inner-city Victoria Park. Investigative works at the site have begun with geotechnical studies and soil sampling ongoing, Mr Blejie said. Topography and boundary surveys are set to be undertaken to inform design and construction planning. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris welcomed the agreement and hopes shovels will be in the ground for major venues by the end of 2026. "Today marks a significant shift in forward momentum following the Queensland government's announcement in March of its 2032 Delivery Plan," Mr Liveris said. The International Olympic Committee have backed the LNP government's 2032 venue plan after several false starts, saying the Brisbane Games are "on the right path". But Olympic rowing still has clouds over its viability on Rockhampton's Fitzroy River as the sport's international body is set to visit the site. Mr Bleijie said the government was very committed to hosting rowing on the Fitzroy. A total of $145.5 million has been allocated to Brisbane Olympic infrastructure in the forthcoming financial year, under Treasurer David Janetzki's first budget. That will blow out to $1.7 billion over the next four years, with $950 million allocated to the construction of the athletes' villages and $832 million for procurement and delivery of venues. The government recently passed a bill to guarantee construction of 2032 Olympic sites are not impeded by exempting them from 15 planning laws. The laws include the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts, sparking outrage from advocacy groups. A deal locking in billions for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been struck between Queensland and the federal government to give the Brisbane event "certainty". Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie trumpeted the deal, which includes both governments committing 50-50 funding for minor venues, a full relocation of funding for the Brisbane Arena and $1.2 billion of federal funds towards a main stadium at Brisbane's Victoria Park. The Brisbane Arena, which the federal government was set to stump up $2.5 billion for, was scrapped during a 100-day review to determine the infrastructure plan for the Games. Mr Bleijie said a market-led proposal for the 17,000-seat arena with private sector interest would provide better benefits for taxpayers. Funding for the Games is split equally between both the state and federal governments under a $7.1 billion envelope. The federal government is set to invest more than $3.4 billion in the Games - the single largest contribution towards sporting infrastructure in Australia's history, federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said. "It is about ensuring that when we hand the keys back after the closing ceremony, Queensland has the infrastructure it needs to build on this incredible legacy for decades to come," Ms King said. "Our most decentralised state will become home to the most decentralised Games." The centrepiece of Brisbane 2032 is a proposed $3.7 billion, 63,000-seat stadium at the inner-city Victoria Park. Investigative works at the site have begun with geotechnical studies and soil sampling ongoing, Mr Blejie said. Topography and boundary surveys are set to be undertaken to inform design and construction planning. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris welcomed the agreement and hopes shovels will be in the ground for major venues by the end of 2026. "Today marks a significant shift in forward momentum following the Queensland government's announcement in March of its 2032 Delivery Plan," Mr Liveris said. The International Olympic Committee have backed the LNP government's 2032 venue plan after several false starts, saying the Brisbane Games are "on the right path". But Olympic rowing still has clouds over its viability on Rockhampton's Fitzroy River as the sport's international body is set to visit the site. Mr Bleijie said the government was very committed to hosting rowing on the Fitzroy. A total of $145.5 million has been allocated to Brisbane Olympic infrastructure in the forthcoming financial year, under Treasurer David Janetzki's first budget. That will blow out to $1.7 billion over the next four years, with $950 million allocated to the construction of the athletes' villages and $832 million for procurement and delivery of venues. The government recently passed a bill to guarantee construction of 2032 Olympic sites are not impeded by exempting them from 15 planning laws. The laws include the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts, sparking outrage from advocacy groups. A deal locking in billions for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been struck between Queensland and the federal government to give the Brisbane event "certainty". Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie trumpeted the deal, which includes both governments committing 50-50 funding for minor venues, a full relocation of funding for the Brisbane Arena and $1.2 billion of federal funds towards a main stadium at Brisbane's Victoria Park. The Brisbane Arena, which the federal government was set to stump up $2.5 billion for, was scrapped during a 100-day review to determine the infrastructure plan for the Games. Mr Bleijie said a market-led proposal for the 17,000-seat arena with private sector interest would provide better benefits for taxpayers. Funding for the Games is split equally between both the state and federal governments under a $7.1 billion envelope. The federal government is set to invest more than $3.4 billion in the Games - the single largest contribution towards sporting infrastructure in Australia's history, federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said. "It is about ensuring that when we hand the keys back after the closing ceremony, Queensland has the infrastructure it needs to build on this incredible legacy for decades to come," Ms King said. "Our most decentralised state will become home to the most decentralised Games." The centrepiece of Brisbane 2032 is a proposed $3.7 billion, 63,000-seat stadium at the inner-city Victoria Park. Investigative works at the site have begun with geotechnical studies and soil sampling ongoing, Mr Blejie said. Topography and boundary surveys are set to be undertaken to inform design and construction planning. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris welcomed the agreement and hopes shovels will be in the ground for major venues by the end of 2026. "Today marks a significant shift in forward momentum following the Queensland government's announcement in March of its 2032 Delivery Plan," Mr Liveris said. The International Olympic Committee have backed the LNP government's 2032 venue plan after several false starts, saying the Brisbane Games are "on the right path". But Olympic rowing still has clouds over its viability on Rockhampton's Fitzroy River as the sport's international body is set to visit the site. Mr Bleijie said the government was very committed to hosting rowing on the Fitzroy. A total of $145.5 million has been allocated to Brisbane Olympic infrastructure in the forthcoming financial year, under Treasurer David Janetzki's first budget. That will blow out to $1.7 billion over the next four years, with $950 million allocated to the construction of the athletes' villages and $832 million for procurement and delivery of venues. The government recently passed a bill to guarantee construction of 2032 Olympic sites are not impeded by exempting them from 15 planning laws. The laws include the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts, sparking outrage from advocacy groups. A deal locking in billions for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been struck between Queensland and the federal government to give the Brisbane event "certainty". Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie trumpeted the deal, which includes both governments committing 50-50 funding for minor venues, a full relocation of funding for the Brisbane Arena and $1.2 billion of federal funds towards a main stadium at Brisbane's Victoria Park. The Brisbane Arena, which the federal government was set to stump up $2.5 billion for, was scrapped during a 100-day review to determine the infrastructure plan for the Games. Mr Bleijie said a market-led proposal for the 17,000-seat arena with private sector interest would provide better benefits for taxpayers. Funding for the Games is split equally between both the state and federal governments under a $7.1 billion envelope. The federal government is set to invest more than $3.4 billion in the Games - the single largest contribution towards sporting infrastructure in Australia's history, federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said. "It is about ensuring that when we hand the keys back after the closing ceremony, Queensland has the infrastructure it needs to build on this incredible legacy for decades to come," Ms King said. "Our most decentralised state will become home to the most decentralised Games." The centrepiece of Brisbane 2032 is a proposed $3.7 billion, 63,000-seat stadium at the inner-city Victoria Park. Investigative works at the site have begun with geotechnical studies and soil sampling ongoing, Mr Blejie said. Topography and boundary surveys are set to be undertaken to inform design and construction planning. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris welcomed the agreement and hopes shovels will be in the ground for major venues by the end of 2026. "Today marks a significant shift in forward momentum following the Queensland government's announcement in March of its 2032 Delivery Plan," Mr Liveris said. The International Olympic Committee have backed the LNP government's 2032 venue plan after several false starts, saying the Brisbane Games are "on the right path". But Olympic rowing still has clouds over its viability on Rockhampton's Fitzroy River as the sport's international body is set to visit the site. Mr Bleijie said the government was very committed to hosting rowing on the Fitzroy. A total of $145.5 million has been allocated to Brisbane Olympic infrastructure in the forthcoming financial year, under Treasurer David Janetzki's first budget. That will blow out to $1.7 billion over the next four years, with $950 million allocated to the construction of the athletes' villages and $832 million for procurement and delivery of venues. The government recently passed a bill to guarantee construction of 2032 Olympic sites are not impeded by exempting them from 15 planning laws. The laws include the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts, sparking outrage from advocacy groups.

Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane Games board takes shape as golfing legend loses seat
Former champion golfer Greg Norman is among those to have lost their seat on the 2032 Brisbane Olympic organising board, after the Queensland government passed laws to shrink the body to 'streamline' decision-making. The legislation, passed through Queensland parliament last week, removed requirements that women make up 50 per cent of the board's members and that at least one member be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. All original members, including four-time Olympian Jess Fox, will have to be renominated to the revised board, and several have lost their places. Until last week, the Australian government had four nominees on the board: Norman, three-time Olympic gold medallist Tracy Stockwell, Gold Coast Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle and Federal Sport Minister Anika Wells. On the day in February he was formally appointed as a board member, the one-time world No.1 golfer spruiked his ability to be a diplomatic conduit between Australia and US president Donald Trump. Loading His seat at the table was under jeopardy just a month later, when the Queensland government's handpicked Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority recommended the board be reduced from its 24-member composition to 15 to 'enhance efficiency and effectiveness'. A document obtained by this masthead through a Freedom of Information request showed the federal government was considering asking Queensland for a second position alongside Wells. The incoming briefs prepared for Wells after the federal election in May said failing to make this request before June 30 would give Queensland the 'final decision on which nominees continue'.

The Age
6 hours ago
- The Age
Brisbane Games board takes shape as golfing legend loses seat
Former champion golfer Greg Norman is among those to have lost their seat on the 2032 Brisbane Olympic organising board, after the Queensland government passed laws to shrink the body to 'streamline' decision-making. The legislation, passed through Queensland parliament last week, removed requirements that women make up 50 per cent of the board's members and that at least one member be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. All original members, including four-time Olympian Jess Fox, will have to be renominated to the revised board, and several have lost their places. Until last week, the Australian government had four nominees on the board: Norman, three-time Olympic gold medallist Tracy Stockwell, Gold Coast Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle and Federal Sport Minister Anika Wells. On the day in February he was formally appointed as a board member, the one-time world No.1 golfer spruiked his ability to be a diplomatic conduit between Australia and US president Donald Trump. Loading His seat at the table was under jeopardy just a month later, when the Queensland government's handpicked Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority recommended the board be reduced from its 24-member composition to 15 to 'enhance efficiency and effectiveness'. A document obtained by this masthead through a Freedom of Information request showed the federal government was considering asking Queensland for a second position alongside Wells. The incoming briefs prepared for Wells after the federal election in May said failing to make this request before June 30 would give Queensland the 'final decision on which nominees continue'.