The announcement of a new 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics has stirred up a storm of emotions, especially for those who live, work, and study in the area. Victoria Park, a sprawling green space that has long been a sanctuary for students, families, and locals looking for a breath of fresh air, is now set to be transformed into the centerpiece of the Games—and just like that, one of the last major green lungs of inner Brisbane is on borrowed time.
The news came quickly and, for many, painfully. Less than 12 hours after the announcement, QUT put out a social media story that read, “Hello neighbour, QUT welcomes Brisbane 2032 to Victoria Park.” For some students, this felt like an embrace of an exciting future; for others, it was an unsettling reminder that their campus is about to change forever.
There’s no denying the prestige of hosting an Olympics, nor the potential benefits of improved infrastructure, investment, and international attention. But at what cost? Victoria Park has been a much-loved retreat for QUT students, offering a space to unwind, exercise, or simply escape from the demands of study. It’s also been the site of protests against exactly this kind of development, with community members and environmentalists fighting to keep it as a park—just as had been promised when the golf course was removed.
Opposition has been swift. Protesters have already gathered to voice their frustrations, with some threatening legal action to fight the development. Campaigners from ‘Save Victoria Park’ have been vocal in their concerns, urging the government to reconsider. “Our campaign is to keep our park as a park,” organiser Sue Bremner stated, echoing the frustration of many Brisbane locals.
For QUT students, the impacts are personal. Kelvin Grove has always had an identity separate from the hustle of the CBD, and Victoria Park has played a big role in that. Now, instead of a peaceful expanse of greenery next door, there will be years of construction, increased foot traffic, noise pollution, and a dramatic change to the local landscape. Those who have called Kelvin Grove home—whether in student housing, in sharehouses or as part of the wider community—are facing the reality that their neighbourhood is about to become unrecognisable.
Some students see potential opportunities in the development. More infrastructure could mean improved transport options, part-time jobs tied to the Games, and even career prospects through industry partnerships. But the trade-off is clear: they are losing a space that has been theirs to enjoy, recharge, and connect with nature.
So, what now? The stadium is coming, and the battle to preserve Victoria Park in its current state may already be lost. But that doesn’t mean students and locals should stop speaking up. As the development plans unfold, there will be decisions made about sustainability, accessibility, and how this massive project will integrate into the daily lives of those who live nearby. There is still a chance to shape what this stadium will mean for the future of QUT students, even if they weren’t given much of a say in whether it should exist at all.
For now, students will have to watch as their green space is swallowed by the biggest event Brisbane has ever hosted. Whether this will be remembered as a necessary sacrifice or a painful loss—only time will tell.
