For generations, Aboriginal Elders say the waters at Brisbane's Victoria Park have been a place of healing.
The heritage-listed site's "healing waters" were surrounded by fencing, earth‑moving machinery and police on Monday as work began on the $3.8 billion 2032 Olympic main stadium.
Before dawn, officers moved in to clear the last protesters from the park near the city's CBD, allowing the Games authority to formally take control of the site almost five years after Brisbane won its Olympics bid.
By mid‑morning, the park's long‑time users stood behind barricades as a cheerful Premier David Crisafulli turned the first sod, declaring "it's game on".
"Victoria Park will be the beating sport, cultural and green heart of Brisbane, and a place all Queenslanders can be proud of," he said.
