Rockhampton set to host Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games rowing
A river in central Queensland known to have crocodiles is set to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games rowing events, in an eleventh-hour venues plan switch made to avoid an embarrassing concession.
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A river in central Queensland known to have crocodiles is set to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games rowing events, in an eleventh-hour venues plan switch made to avoid an embarrassing concession.
Highly placed sources have revealed the state government will likely announce Rockhampton as the host city for rowing events at the 2032 Games — even though it may not meet World Rowing’s strict rules.
The revelation comes as the state government, in the final hours before unveiling its long-awaited Games plan, abandoned a promise not to build any new stadiums.
Instead Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie insisted the LNP’s firm commitment was “to be not embarrassed on the world stage”.
“What we’ve committed to is to be not embarrassed on the world stage, to provide generational transport and road and rail infrastructure, and a delivery plan that Queenslanders can be proud of,” he said.
It’s understood the shift to Rockhampton will prevent rowing from being shifted to Penrith, in western Sydney’s outer reaches, where there is already a dedicated rowing facility.
Rowing Australia and Rowing Queensland sent an urgent letter to the state government on Sunday to plead its case to keep the sport in the state for the 2032 Games.
The letter, obtained by The Courier-Mail, also warned the government needed to ensure any course and venue they picked had to comply with “the stringent technical requirements required for fair and exciting racing”.
While the mighty Fitzroy River hosts state and national championships, the high levels of boat destroying water hyacinth, the presence of crocodiles, and a current could pose problems in passing World Rowing standards.
The Games venues plan — crafted after a 100-day independent review — will be presented to the LNP frontbench on Monday to receive cabinet approval.
Securing the final blueprint has involved a flurry of last minute moves, including high-level speculation the government will agree to build a National Aquatic Centre across the road from a new Victoria Park stadium.
It is expected the athletes village will be shifted from Northshore Hamilton to the RNA Showgrounds, at the edge of Brisbane’s CBD to save money and capitalise on existing sewage, water, and energy infrastructure.
Mr Bleijie on Sunday said the state government was committed to keeping its venues plan within the existing $7.1bn funding envelope — of which $3.4bn will come from the federal government.
A total of $2.5bn has been set aside for the Brisbane Arena, though a reference design in 2024 which was rejected by both levels of government priced the project at $2.61bn.
It’s understood a subsequent reference design for the arena — which the federal government wants to build at the Normanby Fiveways corner of Roma St Parklands — priced the venue within budget.
Mr Bleijie has been pushing behind the scenes to spend the $2.5bn on other venues — a move which would require approval from the Albanese government.
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Originally published as Rockhampton set to host Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games rowing
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