Overview
- The Brisbane City Council confirmed the Victoria Park function centre will shut by June 2026 to clear the site, with early earthworks for the 63,000-seat stadium scheduled to start mid-2026.
- Couples and tenants say they were blindsided by the closure timeline, while the council and GIICA say deposits will be refunded and compensation and transition support are being negotiated.
- Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said plans for the stadium have been public since March 2025, and GIICA notified tenants in October 2025 that early works were expected in mid-2026.
- New renderings by Cox Architecture and Hassell with Azusa Sekkei were unveiled this week, with the venue slated for the 2032 opening and closing ceremonies and athletics, then legacy use by major local sports and entertainment.
- Community groups and Traditional Owner representatives dispute impact assessments and accuse the government of greenwashing, citing legal protection bids and a planned January 31 protest over potential loss of parkland and trees.