Rockhampton Sprint Regatta postponed after reported crocodile sightings

Recent crocodile sightings in Rockhampton have forced rowers to stay out of the Fitzroy River and a narrow escape for a swimmer is being investigated on the Capricorn Coast.

The 2023 Rockhampton Sprint Regatta has been postponed after a reported crocodile sighting.

Recent crocodile sightings in Rockhampton have forced rowers away from Fitzroy River waters, with a series of races being postponed - while an investigation has also been launched into a reported close call between a croc and a swimmer on the Capricorn Coast.

Yeppoon dad Dean Elliott posted on Facebook on Sunday morning that he was water skiing at Causeway Lake when a crocodile tried to attack his son about 4.30pm.

“My heart was in my throat this afternoon when I witnessed a large croc only a meters away heading straight for my son who was in the water after he fell off water skiing at our local Causeway Lake,” he wrote.

“Just as I saw it his mate yelled croc! Luckily we were only 4 or 5 meters away and on a Sea-Doo so we were close to the water, his mate observing and I drove over the croc to pull him out of the water.

“At this stage the croc was right on him. So close.”

Wildlife officers are now investigating that incident.

The 2023 Rockhampton Sprint Regatta was to be held this weekend at the Ski Gardens, however, the rowing event was postponed to May 20.

Rowing Queensland CEO Ian Holzberger said the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club had advised on Friday morning there was a crocodile sighting reported and that the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was investigating.

“Exercising the abundance of caution, the decision was taken to delay the regatta a week, which is the right appropriate decision, especially where school kids are concerned,” Mr Holzberger said.

“If there is a genuine sighting in and about the course area, that is something we take very seriously.”

He said the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service had suggested investigations would be completed by next weekend.

Mr Holzberger said the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club was very actively monitoring the situation and had advised all of its members.

A Rockhampton Grammar School spokeswoman said the decision to postpone this weekend’s Sprint Regatta was made in conjunction with the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club.

“The highest priority of The Rockhampton Grammar School is always the students’ safety,” the spokeswoman said.

“While the recent crocodile sightings reported are a long way from our regular training course, as a precautionary measure, the school has suspended on-water training.

“The school now awaits advice from the Department of Environment and Science once surveys of the river are completed.

“We look forward to RGS rowers being back on the water and enjoying this fantastic resource soon.”

A Rockhampton Girls Grammar School spokeswoman said all school training had been cancelled until further advice had been received from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services to be safe.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman said since April 1 there had been 11 crocodile sightings reported in Rockhampton as well as one at Keppel Sands, one near Emu Park and one at Causeway Lake.

“Every sighting report has been investigated,” the spokesman said.

“All the reported sightings in the Fitzroy River are within Zone C portion of the Fitzroy River which is part of the ‘targeted management zone’ as it is an area that is frequented by large numbers of people, due to being near an urban centre and is also frequented by crocodiles.

“In response to crocodile sighting reports on the Fitzroy River, wildlife officers have conducted five, thorough spotlight surveys of the river above the barrage.

“The latest spotlight survey of a 25-kilometre stretch of the Fitzroy River was conducted on April 27 and wildlife officers confirmed the presence of nine crocodiles all of which were less than 2 metres in length.

“Our surveys have not confirmed the presence of any crocodiles greater than two metres in length, or crocodiles displaying dangerous behaviour that could be targeted for removal.

“This information was provided to the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club, along with Crocwise messaging and advice to report all crocodiles to the department.”

According to the Department of Environment and Science’s crocodile sightings dashboard, out of 10 crocodile sightings reported on the Fitzroy River, one off Picnic Point in Pink Lily from May 5 at 10.30am was listed as under investigation.