Source : the age
Premier David Crisafulli has just told parliament the International Olympic Committee assessment of the proposed Rockhampton rowing site for the 2032 Olympics has been completed, and has green-lit the Fitzroy River for the events.
“The IOC assessment for the site is complete. The Fitzroy has passed with flying colours. It’s official. It’s official: signed, sealed and delivered,” Crisafulli said.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the site has now been endorsed by international federations World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide “as it can provide fair racing conditions for international standard rowing for 2032”.
“Official endorsement of the Rockhampton flatwater course follows comprehensive and independent technical assessment by renowned international mean engineering experts Waterproof, who are regularly engaged by World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide to consider courses as well as sites, [and] visits by international federation representatives,” Bleijie said.
“The Fitzroy has the space for a full international standard course at a 2.7 kilometres long section, providing sufficient distance for a standard 2,000-metre rowing race, full width of all eight lanes, with room for the necessary start and finish infrastructure. No widening, no dredging needed.”
Bleijie quoted from statements by both international federations, and said the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority would now finalise its investigations for the site and deliver the final project validation report to government “in the coming months”, with concept design “well advanced at 80 per cent complete”.
In some of the happenings after dark yesterday, Labor’s flagged motion criticising the government for Friday’s credit rating downgrade and calling for the “true cost” of each Olympic venue was flipped on its head.
Through the magic of the Crisafulli LNP’s majority, the motion was changed to instead condemn the decisions of former Labor government figures still in shadow cabinet which “led to the credit rating downgrade”, and passed.
Not mentioned by Treasurer David Janetzki was his concession from Friday that had he and his government taken politically sensitive actions like raising taxes, cutting spending or reigning in some infrastructure spending, the downgrade could have been avoided.
