source : the age
Premier David Crisafulli has dismissed ongoing criticism of his government’s controversial decision to pursue Olympic rowing at Rockhampton as complaints from elites “too good for regional Queensland”, after a succession of global rowing officials voiced their concerns to Brisbane 2032 organisers.
Brisbane 2032 chief executive Cindy Hook and chief sports officer Kit McConnell virtually attended World Rowing’s 2026 congress in Amsterdam last week, during which they were grilled by sceptical leaders of national rowing federations.
German Rowing Federation president Moritz Petri, with a Google map showing 12-plus hour road routes from Brisbane to Rockhampton visible on his screen, said elite rowers had told him they did not want to compete at Rockhampton.
“They were saying if we are not being in the core of the Olympic city and not being part of the Olympic village, why we are then not using the former Sydney 2000 regatta course, which should still be there?” he said.
“Isn’t it more sustainable from an environmental perspective to go there?”
But Crisafulli was having none of it, telling reporters on the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday he was confident the government could deliver a “world-class venue” on the Fitzroy River.
“I’ve seen some of the commentary and I make the observation that some of the interstate and overseas elites are thumbing their nose because it’s being held in a regional centre – and that’s what this is about,” he said.
“Let’s be honest. Let’s scratch beneath the surface and call it for what it is. It’s a group of interstate and overseas elites who don’t want to go to a regional area.
“It’s about interstate and overseas elites who think they are too good for regional Queensland.”
Crisafulli again insisted rowing would be held in Rockhampton, but as World Rowing chief executive Jean-Christophe Rolland told the Amsterdam conference, it would not be the Queensland government’s call to make.
“The sign-off when it comes to the field of play itself belongs to the international federation, who has the requirements,” Rolland said.
“So we have been very much in contact, and indeed we have started an in-depth technical assessment, which is still ongoing.
“Having said that, we do appreciate all the concerns that you have received – that we do have as well – because we have seen [reports] about flooding and we have seen some events in this location, that also gives us some concerns.”
Crisafulli dismissed flooding concerns out of hand.
“I’ve looked at the records, and they go back to the mid-19th century – so about 180 years,” he said.
“I’ve been unable to find flooding in July or August in the Fitzroy that would prevent that event occurring.”
The criticisms aired at the World Rowing congress dealt primarily with fairness.
Rowing bodies have raised concerns about the fairness of the Fitzroy River course since the possibility was first aired during the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s 100-day review of Olympic venues.
Swiss Rowing Federation director Christian Stofer told the Brisbane 2032 organisers safety and fairness were important for athletes, while Rowing New Zealand chief executive Simon Wickham said it was vital the venue gave competitors a level playing field.
“A number of our federations have seen, and certainly New Zealand has seen, emails and accompanying information from concerned rowers from Australia that are familiar with rowing at the venue, and their deep concerns from an athlete perspective,” Wickham said.
British Rowing chief executive Tom Salisbury, a former Olympic rower, said all matters of fairness needed to be considered in the delivery of the course.
“Concerns have been raised with British Rowing by the rowing community about fairness and delivery at the Rockhampton course,” he said.
Rowing Canada president Tracey Black asked whether any other locations in Queensland could be considered “if the analysis is not as favourable as you’re hoping for”.
Hook reaffirmed, as first reported by this masthead in July last year, that organisers would explore contingencies should World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide (formerly the International Canoe Federation) find the Rockhampton course unsuitable for competition.
“Certainly everything that you said is true,” she said. “There is a risk of flooding there. There’s risk of flooding in the Brisbane River as well.
“We will have to come up with contingency plans, as we would for any venue, first try to mitigate, and then come up with contingency plans, which will be all part of our planning.”
The City of Moreton Bay has proposed a permanent flatwater facility at a decommissioned Boral quarry at Lawnton, which would allow racing on still water.
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