Crisafulli: Fitzroy River ‘definitely good enough’ for Olympics 2032

The premier continues to back plans to hold Olympic rowing on the Fitzroy River after a controversial comment from the minister in charge created waves.

Rowing on Rockhampton's iconic Fitzroy River.

The Queensland premier has staunchly backed plans to host the 2032 Olympic rowing on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton after a controversial comment from the responsible government minister created waves.

David Crisafulli said they “were not turning on this”, one day after Olympic and Paralympic Minister Tim Mander deflected a question about state government funding.

Mr Mander said he was confident rowing would be held on the Fitzroy though he declined to say whether the government would spend whatever cash necessary to ensure Rockhampton rowing was a certainty.

The comment was made as analysis on the viability of the plan is under way to determine the layout and work needed to have the Fitzroy River ready for the 2032 Olympic Games.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli at a press conference while visiting Rockhampton Hospital on Tuesday, July 1. Photo Supplied

A preliminary investigation regarding the viability of holding the Olympic rowing in Rockhampton has raised concerns, such as not enough space for the Olympic course and warm-up area, inadequate onshore space and a need to upgrade the access road.

Technical experts from World Rowing are expected to visit the site later this year to assess the work required to bring it up to an Olympic standard.

However the premier’s stance was markedly different to Mr Mander’s.

“If it is good enough for the kids of Central Queensland to compete in there, it is definitely good enough for Pierre from Paris to compete there,” Mr Crisafulli said while in Rockhampton on Tuesday, July 1.

Premier David Crisafulli is determined to host the 2032 Olympic Games rowing event on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.

The premier noted Rockhampton had hosted many rowing championships and the Olympics would provide long term legacy benefits for the region.

“We will negotiate in good faith about the kind of facilities that are needed but I said that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a lasting legacy for generations and would be more than Brisbane,” Mr Crisafulli said.

When asked if it was fair to compare high school rowing athletes to Olympic athletes, Mr Crisafulli responded “very much so,” noting that along with high school students, the national rowing team also trained on the Fitzroy.

“There’s been some absurd claims made and I am sorry, if it is good enough for the kids of Central Queensland to train on it, it’s safe enough for Olympic and Paralympic athletes to train on it and compete on it,” he said.

Koorana Crocodile Farm owner John Lever has dismissed concerns about the creatures.

The premier also dismissed recent remarks by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in which the leader of Australia suggested during a podcast that the rowing could be held in Penrith, stating there is more chance of him supporting the Panthers (the premier is a Cowboys fan).

“It ain’t happening,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Technical experts from World Rowing are expected to visit the site later this year to assess the work required to bring it up to an Olympic standard.

Keppel MP Nigel Hutton, Premier David Crisafulli and Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Adam Belot watch young netballers training on July 1, 2025.

Mr Crisafulli also met with Cap Coast Netball President Tanya Burnett, with the 2025-26 state budget including $4.5m for a major upgrade of the Barmaryee Sports Complex at Yeppoon.

The upgrade to the Capricorn Coast Netball Association facilities will deliver eight additional outdoor hardcourts and full lighting to enable the association to run state-level competitions and expand weekly fixtures.

Ms Burnett described the funding as a game changer that “will lift the standard of the game to a whole new level”.

“With so many hardcourts under lights, the club will have the ability to facilitate more growth, host more events and competitions and build on our membership base,” she said.

Cap Coast Netball already host the Cap Coast Carnival.

“When we recently opened registration for the competition, we had 172 teams apply in just 10 hours and we were forced to close of registrations,” Ms Burnett said.

Cap Coast Netball President Tanya Burnett, Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Adam Belot, Premier David Crisafulli and Keppel MP Nigel Hutton discuss $4.5m in funding from the Game On! program in the 2025-2026 state budget which will go towards a major upgrade of the Barmaryee Sports Complex at Yeppoon during the premier's visit on July 1, 2025.

“That equates to around 1700 players and that number does not include their support people such as families, coaches, umpires, it is a huge boost to the region’s visitation.

“With the additional hardcourts under lights we will be able to grow our events calendar further and extend the times of play.

“It is fabulous for sports tourism and our local businesses who have also been an amazing support.”

Keppel MP Nigel Hutton praised Cap Coast Netball, saying not only do they promote and facilitate healthy outdoor activity for all ages, they also support local businesses using only local food vendors, artisan market stalls and local suppliers.

“This club has grown over the years and now has over 150 teams of all ages and gender,” Mr Hutton said.

“We are now seeing many multi-generational families involved in the club and the sport.”

The funding fulfills an LNP election commitment and is one of 117 clubs to be funded under the first round of the Games On! program.

“Games On! is a generational investment in our grassroots sports, making it more accessible for all Queenslanders,” Mr Crisafulli said.