What is Perpetuity?

To protect a park in perpetuity means to ensure that the park is safeguarded forever, preserving it as a public space dedicated to its intended purposes—such as recreation, conservation, or cultural significance - without the risk of future development or repurposing that would compromise its character or function.

Here’s what it typically involves -

Legal Protection

• Land Designation: The park may be officially designated as a protected area under laws or regulations, such as being declared a conservation park, heritage site, or public reserve.

• Perpetual Agreements: Legal agreements, like conservation easements or covenants, are often placed on the land to prevent its sale, development, or conversion to non-park uses.

• Zoning Laws: Strict zoning laws may be enacted to limit what can be done on the land.

Environmental Stewardship

• Ensuring the park’s natural ecosystems, flora, and fauna are preserved and managed responsibly to maintain biodiversity and ecological health.

• Ongoing measures, like reforestation or habitat restoration, may be implemented to keep the park thriving.

Community Commitment

• The park's protection relies on public and governmental advocacy to maintain its purpose as a space for community use or ecological conservation.

• It involves recognising the park's cultural, historical, or environmental value and ensuring future generations can enjoy and benefit from it.

Why It Matters

Protecting a park in perpetuity -

• Guards against threats like urban sprawl, private development, or misuse.

• Conserves biodiversity by maintaining habitats for wildlife.

• Preserves green spaces crucial for public recreation, cultural heritage, and mental well-being.

• Helps mitigate climate change through carbon storage and urban cooling.

For Victoria Park / Barrambin, protecting it in perpetuity would mean committing to its role as a vital green space for Brisbane, ensuring its natural beauty and ecological integrity remain untouched for generations.

Action Taken By the Save Victoria Park Group

In May 2024, the Save Victoria Park Group  set up an e-petition to the Queensland State Government.  The purpose of this e-petition was to gain support for a proposal to take Victoria Park ‘off the table’ and ensure that no further reduction in the size if the park occurred.

A similar strategy has been in place in Perth since 1998 when the Court government passed the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority Act which established the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA).  This body is responsible for the care, control and management of Kings Park and Botanic Garden and Bold Park, and any other designated lands including all internal roads.

The Save Victoria Park Group’s e-petition attracted nearly 3000 signatures and was tabled in Parliament in November 2024.  The group is now awaiting for a response from the appropriate Minister.

E-Petition Details

Queensland Residents, draws to the attention of the House:

• Victoria Park was established in 1864 for the purpose of a public park;

• Since then, the 130 hectares initially set aside has been reduced to 64 hectares by re-designation to non-park uses;

• This loss of area occurred despite significant portions of Victoria Park being heritage listed and with a Deed of Grant in Trust in place:

• Brisbane is a rapidly growing city and it’s vital that precious open green space such as Victoria Park be protected for all time;

• The March 2024 Quirk Report recommended that a 55,000 seat stadium be built in Victoria Park for the Olympics; and

• Notwithstanding the government’s rejection of this idea, there has been continuing pressure from business interests and commentators for a stadium in the Park.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to amend the City of Brisbane Act 2010 to protect Victoria Park in perpetuity by providing that the Council has the power to:

• Control, manage and maintain Victoria Park as a public park and no other purpose whatsoever;

• Do anything that is necessary or desirable for developing, managing, maintaining, promoting or using Victoria Park but at all times preserving the reserve as fully accessible public open green space; and

• Permit the use of any part of Victoria Park, including the erection of any structure, on the conditions appropriate so long as the structure directly enhances the use of the reserve as fully accessible, public open green space.