Indigenous Elders and community supporters gathered at Barrambin, Victoria Park in Queensland on Tuesday morning, calling on governments to properly consider applications seeking permanent protection for the culturally significant site before any further Olympic stadium works proceed.
The press conference at Herston Ridge comes as Section 10 applications under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 continue to be assessed by independent reporter Dominic McGann, appointed by Federal Environment Minister Mr Murray Watt.
The gathering also follows growing tensions at the Goori Camp Embassy established at Barrambin earlier this year, after the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority revealed parts of the park would be fenced off from 1 June for early construction works linked to the proposed Brisbane 2032 stadium precinct.
Queensland Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie has warned protesters they will not be allowed to remain in the park once construction begins, citing safety concerns around heavy machinery and excavation works.
Traditional Owner and author Gaja Kerry Charlton said the process was about protecting living Country, not simply debating stadium development.
"Barrambin is living Country," she said.
"This is not simply a planning dispute or a debate about where to put a stadium.
"This is about whether government will respect First Nations cultural heritage, listen to Elders, and do the due diligence required before irreversible damage is done."
Hydrogeologist Ned Hamer spoke at the press conference after preparing the Barrambin Spring Report, an independent hydrogeological assessment of Barrambin, Victoria Park and the possible impacts of proposed Olympic infrastructure on the area's water systems.
The report said the site forms a critical unpaved rainfall catchment for Barrambin Springs, where rainfall enters porous soil and the aquifer before flowing as groundwater to spring-fed watercourses at York's Hollow.
It said permanent spring-fed freshwater sources were central to Aboriginal camps, permanent settlements, hunting, gathering and spiritual meetings, and later became Brisbane's first reliable water supply for European settlers.
The report also found any material impact on the spring system would be considered unacceptable under modern impact assessment standards.
Mr Hamer said governments needed to fully examine the material before making decisions on the future of the site.
"We are calling on government to read the report, hear the evidence, and respect the process," he said.
"The stadium project appears to be rushing 'full steam ahead' from the middle of 2026, as if the outcome of the s10 applications is already decided. Barrambin deserves proper scrutiny, not political momentum."
The applications seek permanent protection for Barrambin Victoria Park, which Elders and community members say holds cultural, spiritual, environmental and historical significance for First Nations people.
Brisbane 2032's proposed Olympic stadium development at the site has become one of Queensland's most contested heritage and environmental debates ahead of the Games.
Community members are also being encouraged to support a public submission backing the Section 10 applications.
That submission argues protection of Barrambin would positively affect cultural heritage, connection to Country, public health, mental health, green space, hospital access, traffic, property amenity and the natural environment.
"If protecting the traditional significance of Barrambin from development, including the proposed stadiums, would affect your life, livelihood, health, property, business, access to greenspace or connection to Country, your voice belongs in this process," the submission states.
They call on the Federal Government to fully consider the Section 10 applications before any irreversible action is taken, while urging the Queensland Government to respect the federal cultural heritage process.
Supporters can visit the Save Victoria Park submission page to read the Section 10 material and add their name in support of permanent protection for Barrambin.
