Stoush erupts over 2032 Olympic rowing hosting rights

A push for Rockhampton to host Olympic rowing events has been slapped down by Rowing Queensland who says the sport needs to grow with a post-Games “heartland”.

Lake Wyaralong is set to host canoeing and rowing at the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Rowing Queensland has slapped down Rockhampton’s push to host Olympic competition in the Fitzroy River, insisting it won’t deliver the post-Games “heartland” required.

An advocacy group led by Queensland Senator Matt Canavan last week urged the state’s 100-day infrastructure review to consider moving 2032 rowing and canoeing to regional Queensland.

Senator Canavan noted the river had existing rowing facilities and tipped it would be $100m cheaper than the existing plan to host the event at Lake Wyaralong, west of Beaudesert.

However, Rowing Queensland chief executive officer Matt Bialkowski said the sport needed an upgraded facility where it could grow significantly.

“Rowing is looking for a heartland moving forward,” he said.

“The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games provides that fantastic legacy opportunity for us right here at Wyaralong.

“We feel with the major population and membership base here in southeast Queensland we are fully supportive of government continuing planning for Lake Wyaralong.”

Scenic Rim region’s population is tipped to grow 29 per cent to more than 67,000 residents by 2041.

The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.

Queensland’s State Rowing Centre is based at Wyaralong and Mr Bialkowski said upgrading the facility would secure certainty for the sport after it relocated several times over the past decade due to changing dam usage rules.

However, the rowing boss said Rockhampton’s existing Fitzroy River facility – washed away in a flood last year – should be rebuilt for the community and used as training facility.

Scenic Rim Regional Council said Lake Wyaralong was the “best location” to host a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games events.

Mayor Tom Sharp said the Games would showcase the “splendour of our region” to the world.

“We are proud to have worked with Rowing Australia and Rowing Queensland on our bid to host these events during the Games, both of whom consider Lake Wyaralong as the best rowing site in Queensland,” he said.

Mr Sharp said the region’s proximity to Brisbane and the Gold Coast meant it was an ideal location to host events.

The Queensland State Championships hosted 520 athletes at the weekend.