Technical review begins for Fitzroy River ahead of 2032 Olympics

A technical review of the Fitzroy River’s ability to hold Olympic rowing in 2032 has begun with the Premier adamant it is ‘good enough for international athletes’.

Premier David Crisafulli with young high school rowers in the background on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton on 23 July 2025. Picture: Supplied by the Office of the Premier.

A technical review of the Fitzroy River’s ability to hold the Olympic rowing in 2032 has begun as the state marks seven years until the Beef Capital potentially hosts.

While Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Tim Mander marked the occasion by rowing on the placid river himself, Premier David Crisafulli chose to stay in a boat with a motor and enjoy the serene Fitzroy during dreary weather.

The premier said the review, conducted by Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority, would consider “the things that matter”.

Premier David Crisafulli with young high school rowers on the banks of the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton on 23 July 2025. Picture: Supplied by the Office of the Premier.

“It’s the water flow; it’s the course length,” he said.

“The technical review on the Fitzroy River will begin today as at all venues … because this is the time of year the event will be held.”

Mr Crisafulli said he was sure World Rowing would observe the review when it undertook its separate study, which was expected to occur this month.

While the premier could not say whether crocodiles would be part of the review, he knocked back suggestions they might be problematic during a rowing event.

“(It’s) a beautiful venue, (a) safe venue, good enough for our kids, (and) good enough for international athletes,” he said.

“I’ve got every faith people will see it for what it is, and that’s a really special part of the world.”

Mr Crisafulli made it clear that people would be safe in the Fitzroy River, underlining his support for culling the creatures in the state if necessary.

“People come before crocodiles and where you have crocodiles in areas that are important to people, you remove the crocodile, you don’t remove the people,” he said.

Young rowers on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton on 23 July 2025. Source: Facebook/Rockhampton Grammar School.

“People come first.

“I do believe that waterways belong to people.

“People before crocs and we continue to take that approach and Queenslanders continue to enjoy the waterways they deserve to enjoy.”

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.

Mr Mander said hosting the Olympics was going to be “a once-in-a-generation community for our state and our best days are ahead of us”

“The vibe in Rocky and in Central Queensland in general is electric as we count down now seven years to the games,” he said.

“It was great to be on the river with schoolboy rowers, who were the experts.”

But Mr Mander said the Olympics was “not just about elite sport”, highlighting local sports funding such as $42m for the stage one of the Rockhampton sports precinct, $900,000 for an upgrade to Bluebirds’ clubhouse and $3m to Gracemere Rugby League.

“We want to make sure all Queenslanders no matter where they are, we’ve got that because of the games,” he said.

AI image of 2032 Olympic Games’ rowing.

Originally published as Technical review begins for Fitzroy River ahead of 2032 Olympics