Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Minister won’t commit to Fitzroy River funding

The state government maintains Olympic rowing will be held in Queensland, but the minister responsible refuses to make a critical commitment.

Olympic and Paralympic Minister Tim Mander on Monday. Picture: Josh Woning

The state government is “certain” Olympic rowing will be held in Rockhampton, but won’t speculate on whether it will spend whatever it takes to get the venue up to a global standard.

Analysis is under way to determine the layout and work needed to have the Fitzroy River ready for the 2032 Games.

Preliminary investigation by the 100-day infrastructure review panel found there was not enough space for the Olympic course and warm-up area, inadequate onshore space and a need to upgrade access roads – while the flow of the river has also prompted concern.

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.

The river has made global headlines due to the fact crocodiles can be found there.

Olympic and Paralympic Minister Tim Mander said on Monday he was confident rowing would be held on the Fitzroy.

“Let’s get these inspections done and listen to what is required, but as you already know, we are very committed to rowing being in Rockhampton, and I am certain that will take place,” he said.

“It’s (the venue) not something that’s just been plucked out of the air.”

Asked whether the government would spend whatever cash necessary to ensure Rockhampton rowing is a certainty, Mr Mander declined to say.

“I don’t want to speculate on that, let’s see what the what the experts say about it,” he said.

“It’s a place that’s been used for rowing for years and years and years, it had Olympic teams based there for training, it’s had state and national titles there.

Crocodile removal has been suggested for the river.

“The schoolkids are on there every day of the week.”

While the Fitzroy has hosted state schools championships, it has not hosted a national-level competition since the Australian Masters in 2009.

Rockhampton has never hosted the premier Australian Rowing Championships event.

The 100-day review panel recommended rowing be held in Sydney.

That push was seemingly endorsed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month when he questioned: “Are we really going to do rowing in Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River, when there are some pretty good facilities at Penrith?”

Mr Mander – speaking on Monday at Ballymore to promote the government’s partnership with Queensland Rugby Union – said negotiations about upgrading the venue were ongoing.

QRU chief executive officer David Hanham said, starting with the British and Irish Lions match on Wednesday, rugby had a “wonderful runway” that would culminate in the 2032 Games.

Mr Hanham said the QRU was dedicated to making Ballymore the home of women’s rugby to lift the number of Queenslanders in the national team from 60 per cent to 80 per cent.

“We want to be producing the most high performance athletes for the Olympic sevens,” he said.

“We want to be the best participation base for women’s rugby and we want to be out there providing a pathway.

“Ballymore is probably the jewel in the crown on that and the government, our discussions have been positive.”

Originally published as Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Minister won’t commit to Fitzroy River funding