Applications to protect Victoria Park rejected ahead of construction of Olympic stadium

People from the Save Victoria Park group protesting against the Olympic stadium on Sunday. (ABC News: Lucy Loram)

Two cultural heritage protection applications relating to early works on Brisbane's Olympic stadium at Victoria Park have been rejected.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt, who made the decisions, says his department is continuing to assess another five applications.

The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) will take over ownership of Victoria Park from the Brisbane City Council from midnight, so that early works on the stadium can begin.

The federal government has rejected two cultural heritage protection applications for Brisbane's Victoria Park, ahead of construction starting on the 63,000-seat Olympic stadium on Monday.

From midnight, the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) will take over ownership of Victoria Park from the Brisbane City Council, so that early works can begin.

It comes despite protests against the government's decision to break its election promise and build a new stadium for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Indigenous groups have said the site is of deep cultural significance and they fear the loss of sacred springs and trees if construction goes ahead.

Other community groups and advocates have said they want to see the inner-city parklands and green space preserved.

The stadium will hold 63,000 spectators once completed. (Supplied)

To date, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has received 10 applications seeking declarations to protect an area of the park under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.

On Sunday, Mr Watt said he had assessed two applications for declarations under the Act relating to the early works and was "unable to be satisfied that either application met the statutory requirements for a declaration to be made".

"Today's decisions follow consultation with interested parties, and I acknowledge the importance of the area to the Turrbal and Yagara Peoples," Mr Watt said in a statement.

Murray Watt says he encourages all parties to engage, as his department continues to consider five more applications. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

He said his department was continuing to assess another application under section nine of the Act and four applications under section 10.

"I have appointed a section 10 reporter to work with all interested parties to undertake a more detailed review of the issues before I determine if longer-term protections are required," Mr Watt said.

"I encourage all parties t