Mayor’s Fitzroy River feedback: ‘We’re seeing some really good data’

The man responsible for the infrastructure build for the 2032 Olympics has delivered positive feedback for Rockhampton’s suitability for rowing.

AI image of 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games venues: Rowing at the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.

The man behind the infrastructure build for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games has delivered positive feedback for the suitability of the rowing course in Rockhampton.

Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) CEO Simon Crooks was speaking at the Australian Infrastructure Summit in Brisbane this week when he mentioned results coming in from the feasibility assessments into the proposed Olympic rowing venue at the Fitzroy River Barrage.

Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams, who was at the conference to hear about planning a lasting Olympic infrastructure legacy for the region, said the CEO’s comments about good rowing course results was very positive news.

“It’s great to hear that work is progressing and that we’re seeing some really good data coming out,” he said.

“With so much talk and some really quite uninformed opinions going around about the Olympics, it’s good to hear these comments.

“It gives us even more reason to get on with the legacy opportunities from the Games.”

Premier David Crisafulli and Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander at Rockhampton’s rowing facility July, 2025. Source: Facebook/Rockhampton Grammar School.

The Fitzroy River has been earmarked to host Olympic rowing and canoe sprint events, as well as para rowing and para canoe events.

The course is flat for rowers during winter, when the Olympics would be held, because no water flows through the barrage as there is little to no rainfall at that time of year.

The stretch of the Fitzroy River where the rowing course is to held has been described as “more like a dam than a typical river” by Senator Matt Canavan.

The current status of the Rockhampton site shows GIICA working with its Games Delivery Partners to progress preliminary planning and feasibility activities, before the project can progress into Project Validation Report stage.

Cr Williams said the conference also provided a clear Games lessons on being early, smart and sensible for delivery and legacy.

He said key decision-makers from across government, sport and private industry were there to discuss Games infrastructure and how to deliver a lasting legacy for decades after the historic event.

Cr Williams spoke at the event, addressing the need to start a conversation about its legacy now, not later.

A pair of Stuartholme School rowers head out on to the course during the Queensland Secondary Schools Rowing Championships in Rockhampton.

“The Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They are a chance to lift our region and leave a lasting legacy,” he said.

“The big message from this Infrastructure Summit was to start now, don’t wait and get in there and think about how we can make the investments we need for the games leave a lasting legacy for our region.

“There is already so many examples of how we can deliver an Olympic event. We hold Beef here every three years bringing thousands of people to the region for the week-long event, we have the river with its natural 2km straight and ample staging area, we have an airport with dedicated customs and capacity to accept international flights.

“We know we can host the Olympics, that’s clear. What we need to do now is think about what that lasting legacy is.

“So that will be our next couple of months - shaping those ideas that bring benefit to our region and developing a plan that delivers for Rocky for decades to come.”

Premier David Crisafulli and Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander at Rockhampton Grammar School's Rowing Facility in Rockhampton, 23 July 2025. Picture: Supplied by the Office of the Premier.

Following the Queensland Government’s announcement of the 2032 Delivery Plan in March 2025, GIICA is working with the state and federal governments and council to progress the Rockhampton rowing project towards a Project Validation Report.

The GIICA website states upgrades to the existing Fitzroy River course are proposed to be delivered to host rowing, para rowing, canoe sprint and para canoe events for the Games, as well as to provide a community legacy for future generations.

The facility currently supports training, local regattas, and state championships, as well as serving as a national team training camp.

Planned upgrades may include enhanced permanent infrastructure and amenities, supporting regional grassroots sporting opportunities for the surrounding community.

A new athlete village is also proposed to be built within the Rockhampton Railyards precinct.