Five Brisbane Lord Mayors Oppose New Stadium at Victoria Park
Five former Brisbane mayors from both major political parties are on the record as opposing a stadium in Victoria Park. These mayors, including Campbell Newman, Jim Soorley, Tim Quinn, Bryan Walsh, and Sallyanne Atkinson spoke out against a stadium after the Quirk report was released in March 2024.
The quotes below have been taken from the Brisbane Times.
Campbell Newman (Lord Mayor 2004-2011)
“Victoria Park was set aside in the 1870s by citizens who had a vision of a wonderful 130 hectare inner-city park. A massive stadium is a body blow to that vision – it’s vital to now protect the park so that it remains fully accessible public green space for all time.” Photo: X / Twitter
Jim Soorley (Lord Mayor 1991-2003)
“People keep talking about a legacy. What better legacy is there than to have a park like this, so large and so close to the city with brilliant views. It’s our very own Central Park. It would be madness to build over it with a stadium.” Photo: Courier Mail
Tim Quinn (Lord Mayor 2003-2004)
“Hyde Park, Central Park and The Domain give London, New York and Sydney their character and their breathing space. That’s what Victoria Park should be. Not a stadium. Fix up the other stadiums and keep Victoria Park as a permanent green legacy.” Photo: Brisbane Times
Bryan Walsh (Lord Mayor 1975-1976)
“The Olympic legacy for which we should aim is a successful Games in venues that we can afford and which will be fully utilised in the future – not some legacy of bricks and mortar with limited use and accompanied by the loss of a great and beautiful open green space on the door step of the inner city.”
Sallyanne Atkinson (Lord Mayor 1985-1991)
“Brisbane needs green spaces close to the city to be its lungs. As a local councillor I fought – and sadly lost – a campaign to save important green space in Fig Tree Pocket. We must not lose this one.”
Photo: sallyanneatkinson.com.au