Olympic stadium work underway as premier warns off protesters

David Crisafulli helped turn the first sod at Victoria Park. (ABC News: Will Murray)

Work has begun on Brisbane's 63,000-seat Olympic stadium ahead of the 2032 games.

The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority took over ownership of the land at midnight.

It’s after days of protest, with five arrested at a protest camp last week.

Work is beginning at the Victoria Park site of Brisbane's Olympics stadium, with the state's premier saying those opposed are free to express their views, but not between "excavators and bulldozers".

The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority took over ownership of the land from the Brisbane City Council at midnight to allow for early works to begin on the $3.6 billion stadium.

The stadium is tipped to be finished a year before the Olympics. (ABC News: Lucy Loram)

On Monday, Premier David Crisafulli held a press conference alongside representatives from the Brisbane Lions and Cricket Australia to celebrate the milestone for the 63,000-seat venue, which will also be home to AFL and cricket.

"We are going to create a world-class green space, bookended by a world-class stadium for a world-class event for a state on the rise," he said.

Children from the Wests Junior AFL team help turn the first sod at Victoria Park. (ABC News: Will Murray)

Construction is underway at Victoria Park after the Independent Games Authority took over the land. (ABC News: Lucy Loram)

It comes after days of protests against the stadium, including on Sunday that saw hundreds of people gather, with Save Victoria Park calling for the parklands and green space to be preserved.

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.

The last protesters were removed in the early hours of Monday morning. Police said no charges or arrests were made as the activists were moved on.

Vanessa Berry, who was at Victoria Park on Monday morning told the ABC she was "devastated" the area would be developed.

"We will continue to support the protection of this park," she said.

Vanessa Berry was at the park to protest on Monday morning. (ABC News)

Matthew Shepherd, who lives locally, said he was "heartbroken" that the place where his family had celebrated many events was being developed.

"I think it is an absolute travesty that we are losing the last inner-city green space that we have in Brisbane," he said.

Local resident Matthew Shepard said the development is a 'travesty.' (ABC News)

Nurse at the nearby hospital precinct C