Yagara Elders have taken their fight to protect Barrambin directly to the federal government, presenting a cultural heritage book documenting the significance of the site as calls continue for an immediate halt to irreversible works.
Yagara Elder and Traditional Custodian Gaja Kerry Charlton met with federal representatives involved in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act process on Thursday and Friday to formally hand over the collection.
The book brings together evidence relating to Barrambin as a whole, including pre-colonial trees, sacred water systems and cultural heritage across the site.
The handover follows recent clearing at Barrambin, with Yagara Magandjin Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) reporting at least 200 trees were removed within days.
Ms Charlton said the destruction should have been prevented while federal cultural heritage processes remained unresolved.
"This destruction could and should have been prevented while federal protection processes remained unresolved," she said.
"This book documents what is at risk, while the evidence from the ground shows the devastating impact on wildlife as trees and habitat are removed.
"It is too late for what has already been lost, but there is still so much more to save."
YMAC said Traditional Custodians were not notified before the clearing and raised further concerns about impacts on native wildlife.
Volunteers have reported displaced and distressed birds and possums as habitat was removed, while one nearby resident reported seeing cockatoos and kookaburras gathered silently on her deck following the clearing.
Ms Charlton said protecting wildlife remained part of the cultural responsibility Traditional Custodians held towards Barrambin.
"We will continue our work to preserve what we can and keep doing what our people have done for thousands of years - protect the wildlife like our ancestors expect us to, respectfully and with dignity."
YMAC has maintained its support for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games while arguing the development should not come at the expense of First Nations cultural heritage and living Country.
The latest action follows months of attempts to secure federal protection for Barrambin under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984.
The federal government confirmed on 31 May that four Section 10 applications relating to Barrambin remained under assessment at that time.
YMAC has since pursued further emergency protections as clearing and ground disturbance have continued.
Following the handover, YMAC and Ms Charlton called for an immediate mandatory pause on further irreversible works across Barrambin while outstanding federal assessments are completed.
The corporation is also calling for Traditional Yagara Custodians to be directly involved in decisions affecting Country.
National Indigenous Times sought comment from the Queensland Premier's Office and the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) regarding the clearing, cultural heritage and wildlife monitoring, Traditional Owner consultation and concerns surrounding the Victoria Park Precinct Draft Legacy Plan, but neither responded by deadline.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt was also contacted regarding the ongoing federal protection process and concerns raised by YMAC.
Mr Watt's office referred the enquiry to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
A department spokesperson confirmed seven applications relating to Barrambin are currently being assessed under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.
"As these matters are currently under assessment, it is not appropriate to comment further at this stage," the spokesperson said.
Save Victoria Park has backed YMAC and Ms Charlton's calls for federal intervention, urging supporters to continue contacting decision-makers and support efforts to halt further clearing while the cultural heritage applications are assessed.
