Artists from across Brisbane will gather at Victoria Park-Barrambin on Monday January 27 as part of an urgent campaign to save the heritage-listed public parkland from Olympic stadium development.
Kicking off at 8am and spearheaded by well-known local artist and former Brisbane deputy mayor David Hinchliffe, the Save Victoria Park event invites creatives young and old to wield their brushes in the fight against the proposed destruction of the 64-hectare parkland.
“I hope artists can help show the rest of Brisbane and importantly the decision-makers just how beautiful this park is and what a tragedy it would be to bulldoze it to build three stadiums and high-rise residential towers,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
Culturally-important to the region’s Yuggera and Turrbal custodians, Victoria Park-Barrambin is Brisbane’s largest inner-city green space, straddling the suburbs of Herston, Kelvin Grove and Spring Hill on the rapidly-growing northern fringe of the CBD.
The park is currently under threat from intense industry lobbying that aims to carve up its historic hills for profit-driven developments. One plan proposes to build three major venues – the 55,000 Olympic Stadium, an aquatic stadium and entertainment arena – along with residential buildings.
Save Victoria Park spokesperson Sue Bremner said time was running out to voice opposition to the plans, which are being considered as part of the state government’s ongoing 100-day Olympic infrastructure review.
“Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just beginning, this is your chance to get creative while supporting the community effort to preserve this precious public space for future generations,” Ms Bremner said.
“Brisbane already lags well behind other capitals in terms of inner-city green space. Do we really want to be known as the city that concretes over its heritage parklands for a stadium?”
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