How Hinze Dam could become a permanent site for regattas as rowers pitch it as Olympic venue

Fresh details have been revealed about plans to turn Hinze Dam into a permanent home for Queensland rowing, with hopes still alive it can host the event at the Olympics. READ THE FULL DETAILS

Hinze Dam could become a permanent home for Queensland rowing and host the event at the 2032 Olympic Games, according to a private report prepared for the City.

The Gold Coast Community Rowing Club is urging council to secure a binding agreement with Seqwater which will allow a Rowing Regatta course to be created before the Games.

Mayor Tom Tate confirmed he has had talks with Rowing and Paddle Australia about the potential for major events to be held at the Gold Coast hinterland dam.

While the City says it respects the State Government decision to investigate rowing to be held in central Queensland, council believes Hinze Dam can be a “plan B” location.

“If 2032 rowing and paddle can safely and effectively be held on the Fitzroy River, I can see the benefit in that for Rockhampton and Queensland,” Mr Tate said.

“I do intend however to write to the Minister responsible for SEQ Water so I can understand why major rowing competitions can’t be held at Hinze Dam.”

Aerial shot of the Hinze Dam. The Gold Coast wants it to be considered as a potential site for rowing at the 2032 Olympics.

Experienced competitors who have rowed on the Fitzroy River told The Bulletin it was challenging due to tidal conditions.

The Gold Coast Community Rowing Club report details how the Hinze Dam has previously hosted rowing events and was used as a training facility for the Sydney Olympics.

Graphics show how a standard 2000m long regatta course could be created on the dam’s western side. A boat park would be built at an old quarry area.

The only likely constraints would be bureaucratic red tape because the dam provides the city’s main drinking supply, and some areas being steep and heavily vegetated.

Potential rowing courses at the Hinze Dam. The graphic is from a report to the Gold Coast City Council as part of a plan to get the event for the 2032 Olympics.

“The disused quarry site at the Hinze Dam would make an excellent base for regatta events. There is a large usable area of flat land with road access that could easily be

used for boat and trailer access,” the report said.

“The road circles around the site which is already flattened and covered in fine gravel making it ideal for events, access and boat trailer parking.”

The Rowing Club believes the Hinze Dam is a perfect location due to access, requiring only short trips for competitors arriving at Brisbane or the Gold Coast airports and only 20kms from accommodation in Surfers Paradise.

The Gold Coast is pitching to have Hinze Dam considered for rowing at the 2032 Olympics. Part of the plan would be to use an old quarry site.

The report says it could replace the Wyaralong Flatwater Centre, near Beaudesert, which was only supposed to be a temporary solution for rowing meets.

“The current Coomera 1000m course, that was paid for by Gold Coast City Council, is sitting

on a trailer at Wyaralong Dam and could be used as a temporary test course,” the report says.

Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer said he had been working with local rowing individuals and groups to support their advocacy for better options to grow the sport.

“I love the idea of Hinze Dam for non-motorised paddle sport like rowing, and the beautiful hinterland and its businesses would no doubt be positively impacted if we could attract regular activity, and possibly occasional major events,” he said.

“While I’ll leave the Olympic conversations to the Mayor from a public perspective, locals should expect my advocacy and passion for the sport economy in the hinterland, including the possibility of paddle sports at Hinze to continue.”

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Originally published as How Hinze Dam could become a permanent site for regattas as rowers pitch it as Olympic venue