- Fitzroy River in Rockhampton earmarked venue for rowing in 2032
Building a ‘legacy’ rowing course ahead of the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 could cost as much as $500 million – and the venue is a crocodile-infested river.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie is remaining tight-lipped about the proposed work to the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, which will need to be widened and dredged to meet international standards at the Games.
The state and federal governments have committed to spend a maximum of $7.1billion on Games venue infrastructure – with $3.8billion already set aside for Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park.
It was revealed this week the narrow width of the Fitzroy River requires a reported $400million upgrade.
A further $100million will also be needed for infrastructure costs, notably building grandstands and installing Olympic-level boatshed facilities, according to unnamed sources said to be familiar with the project.
The development comes as the City of Moreton Bay Council has pushed for a permanent flat water facility they argue would only cost $250millon.
Building a rowing course ahead of the Brisbane Olympics could cost as much as $500million – and the venue is a crocodile-infested river (pictured, the Aussie Quadruple Sculls women’s team competing at the Paris Olympics)
Last year a four-metre crocodile made headlines after being spotted cruising along the Fitzroy with a large black dog in its mouth
The region is located between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
Olympic rower Gary Lynagh believes a permanent facility in Brisbane would give Queensland the ability to host continual international-standard rowing events.
‘In terms of a legacy venue, it has to be in Brisbane,’ the three-time world champion told News Corp.
‘It came as quite a shock when they announced the Fitzroy River.
‘It’s not like Rockhampton’s seen as a terrible place to go… but as far as being a permanent rowing facility, it can’t be (a permanent facility) because when it floods it is affected.’
Plenty of eyebrows were raised in March last year when the Fitzroy River was chosen to host rowing events for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Fitzroy River is located 630km north of Brisbane – and is home to many giant saltwater crocodiles.
Last year a four-metre croc made headlines after being spotted cruising along the Fitzroy with a large black dog in its mouth.
The crocodile population has exploded in the Sunshine State since the reptiles became a protected species under Australian law in the 1970s.
The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, around 630km north of Brisbane, is set to host Olympic rowing events in 2032 (pictured, Aussie Men’s Eight rowers at the Paris Games)
The Queensland government fears rowing events could be shifted to Sydney’s International Regatta Centre (the Fitzroy River is pictured)
Sarah Black, the President of Fitzroy Rowing Club, is adamant Olympic rowing events can be staged safely, despite the crocodile risk.
‘The Fitzroy is a natural habitat for crocodiles, we are well aware of that,’ she said.
‘Some reports in the media have been sensationalised, with comments around it being crocodile-infested.
‘In terms of major events, local events, even our weekly training, we have processes in place for reporting and talking to our local environmental officers around the different behaviours of crocodiles and understanding their behaviour.
‘It is risk managed and something our sport does quite well.’
