Preparations for Brisbane 2032 are accelerating. Now that the map of sites has been unveiledfollowing months of consultations, the Queensland government is looking to move up a gear at the legislative level. To save time and, more importantly, avoid wasting it, Premier David Crisafulli's government has introduced several amendments to the 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games Act. The goal: to improve efficiency by removing a number of potential obstacles. This raises some questions, and even criticism.
A more flexible legislative framework to put the Games back on track
These amendments confirm the reduction of the OCOG board of directors from 24 to 15 members, in accordance with the recommendations of the study launched in the autumn, with the aim to "improve the effectiveness of decision-making in the period leading up to the Games". But most importantly, they provide that construction projects related to the Games can be carried out without being subject to 15 laws relating to land use and planning. This exemption applies, in particular, to the Environmental Protection Act, the Nature Conservation Act, the Local Government Act and the Queensland Heritage Act. The statement issued by Development Minister Jarrod Bleijie and Sports Minister Tim Mander emphasizes the need for these measures to ensure the success and legacy of the Olympic Games in terms of infrastructure, both for sport and transport.
"We have time to organize the Games, but we must get on with it", explains Jarrod Bleijie, recalling that "more than 1.200 days" have already been "lost" due to the chaos left by the previous administration. “Queenslanders voted for a fresh start to get the Games back on track, and that’s what we’re delivering. We’re focused on maximizing legacy benefits and building generational infrastructure across Queensland. With the largest infrastructure investment in Queensland’s history, it’s important our legislation ensures clear pathways for their implementation.” The government will therefore have free rein to deliver the Games as it sees fit, with significantly limited potential legal recourse. The Independent Games Coordination Authority (GIICA) has recalled that "the use of special legislation for the implementation of major projects is not new" since this scenario has already arisen in the past for “major urban and tourism development projects”.
"A slap in the face for democracy"
Under the spotlight (and criticism) is the 63.000-seat stadium slated to be built in Victoria Park. It is expected to host athletics, and potentially the opening and closing ceremonies in 2032. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli had promised not to build a new stadium if he came to power. However, he changed his mind and defended the project, believing it was crucial for local sport, since the venue will later house the Brisbane Lions (Australian football), the Brisbane Heat, and the Queensland Bulls (cricket). The amendments tabled by the government, however, sound like "a slap in the face for the community and democracy" according to Rosemary O'Hagan, spokesperson for the Save Victoria Park group. "We have to ask ourselves what is so wrong with these projects that we have to remove so many legal guarantees in order to carry them out.", she declares to ABC. What is the point of having heritage and environmental protection if it is to be ignored?
The association has already raised more than €40.000 in donations to lead the legal battle against the project. It has received support from five former Brisbane mayors: Campbell Newman, Jim Soorley, Tim Quinn, Bryan Walsh, and Sallyanne Atkinson. The Queensland Conservation Council has also pointed out a "a truly worrying precedent" through the voice of its spokesperson, Dave Copeman. "As a general rule, we should not ignore environmental protection", he told the Australian Associated Press, also expressing concern about the threat posed by the Redland whitewater stadium to the koala population. The Brisbane 2032 Games are on track, but the train is still a long way from filling up.
