Leslie Harrison Dam Olympic push sparks debate over water purity
The state government’s review into Olympic and Paralympic Games venues will include assessing calls to open up one of Queensland’s water supply dams as an Olympic venue.
Redlands Coast
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The state’s water authority has opposed using one of Queensland’s main water supply dams for flat water canoeing and kayaking events at the 2032 Games, despite the current venue being under review.
Redland mayoral candidate Andrew Laming called for Leslie Harrison Dam on Tingalpa Creek at Capalaba to be used for flat water Olympic and Paralympic Games events in 2032, instead of the current proposed venue at Wyaralong Dam.
His proposal has the backing of a second Redland mayoral candidate, Cindy Corrie, but has raised opposition from Capalaba MP Don Brown and the water authority.
Mr Brown last month called for his government to ditch a $100 million whitewater Olympic venue proposed to be built at Birkdale in Redland.
The current venue for flat water Olympic events at Wyaralong Dam in the Scenic Rim came under review when the state government set up an independent panel to reassess all venues for the 2032 Games.
The Wyaralong Flat Water Centre was earmarked to host the Olympic canoe sprint and rowing events, with seating for 14,000 spectators and 1000 seats to be retained after the Games.
Flat water sport experts were scheduled to tour possible southeast venues this week.
Mr Laming said he would be outlining his argument in a submission to the review panel, headed by former LNP Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.
He said Leslie Harrison Dam would be a better option over Wyaralong Dam because it was closer to Brisbane and its size and shape would allow events to be held in all wind conditions.
“All venue options are on the table and some sports are not happy with Wyaralong Dam as an Olympic site,” he said.
Ms Corrie, the founder of The Sycamore School for children with autism and a former Chamber of Commerce president, agreed with Mr Laming and lent support for the proposal.
“Holding any Olympic event in Redland would draw much-needed infrastructure investment into the city,” she said.
“For Redlands, that could mean the Eastern Busway and Metro extension to Capalaba and the duplication of the rail line to Cleveland.
“This was the legacy the South East Queensland Council of Mayors was working towards when advocating for the Games.
“If the International Olympic Committee and International Canoe Federation believe that Leslie Harrison Dam is a better alternative, then I’d welcome the state and commonwealth investment in a flat water sports venue that borders Redland.”
SeqWater, which is not leading the process for identifying or finalising sites for flat water events, said recreational sports on the dam had been prohibited because they posed a risk to drinking water quality.
Leslie Harrison Dam provides up to 20 per cent of Redland drinking water and contributes 0.6 per cent of water in the state’s water grid.
The State’s Department of Infrastructure confirmed the Olympic review would include an assessment of Wyaralong Flatwater Centre to ensure the final choice of venue would deliver value for money and community benefit.
“The government will not be pre-empting any outcomes the independent review may recommend for the Wyaralong Flatwater Centre and flat water events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the department said.
“Any proposed change of sporting venue resulting from the review will also require the approval of the Australian government, where it is a funding partner and the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games.”
The International Olympic Committee and international federations for sports along with the International Paralympic Committees would also have to be consulted about any venue change.
Paddle Australia and Australian Rowing are yet to lodge submissions outlining their preferences to the Olympic venue review panel.
“Paddle Australia will continue to actively contribute to the review process to assess the best option for the sprint canoe and paracanoe events but is still considering making a submission to the independent review panel,” a spokesman said.
“Our primary goal is to ensure that the Sprint and Slalom Canoe/Kayak competitions are held in southeast Queensland in 2032, and that there is a positive and enduring legacy for our sport and the broader community from any investment made.
“We are committed to working with all parties to achieve this.”
Capalaba MP Don Brown opposed using the dam for an Olympic flat water sporting venue.
He said recreation on the dam had been prohibited since SeqWater took over managing the asset from Redland City Council in 2008.
“Andrew Laming should be well aware that it was the LNP’s 2014 report into recreational use of Leslie Harrison Dam, that ruled it out,” he said.
“It would be nice but unfortunately it is a risk to drinking water quality.”
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