Queensland government pushes ahead with Olympic rowing plan on Fitzroy River
Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River has been identified as the only venue being considered for Olympic rowing at the 2032 Games and the Deputy Prime Minister said no alternative venues were in contention while technical evaluations were ongoing.
New artists’ impressions of proposed 2032 Olympic venues have also been released, offering the first detailed look at how key sites in Queensland could take shape ahead of the Games.
Deputy Prime Minister Jarrod Bleijie told the Media Club in Brisbane that international sporting bodies World Rowing and the International Canoe Federation had approved the “next stage” of detailed analysis required to determine the suitability of the river and an independent assessment was now underway.
He said the assessment would examine Fitzroy’s “technical ability to evaluate elements” including river flow, water levels, wind operating requirements and playing field options as planning advances for a permanent Games legacy facility.
“No other venues are being considered,” Mr. Bleijie said.
“I can also confirm that reports earlier this week about what will be required to prepare for the Fitzroy River Games are incorrect.
“It will be a permanent legacy facility, not a temporary one, and it will be within our $7.1 billion (budget).”
Four Olympic gold medalists backed the push for Brisbane to have it; one claimed it was “un-Australian” not to build it.
Mr Bleijie dismissed speculation that improving the river could cost up to $500 million, although he did not offer an alternative figure.
“The preferred playground will offer a full 2 kilometer competition course down to the southern finish line below the dam,” he said.
“The options that remain for further technical evaluation will not require dramatic changes.
“This is despite the best efforts of some elites who are trying to drive rowing away from Queensland or away from Queensland altogether.”
Beyond the Fitzroy decision, the government is also pushing ahead with wide-ranging Olympic infrastructure projects, including the Brisbane Arena and regional venues.
Mr Bleijie said the Games’ independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority will take control of the Victoria Park stadium site from June 1, with fencing and initial work to begin immediately as the area becomes a full construction site.
“The fences will be removed immediately. This will be a construction site… and excavation work will begin,” he said.
The site for Brisbane Stadium has been approved for the Ave end of Victoria Park, with an east-west orientation, and Mr Bleijie said its scale would be comparable to the MCG.
Shortlists for major construction contracts are expected to be announced by the end of March, with final tenders awarded by the end of the year.
Two consortiums have been selected to compete for the Brisbane Arena project: the Brisbane Entertainment Alliance, which includes Capella Capital, Lendlease, AEG and Legends Global, and the Gather Brisbane Consortium, which includes Plenary Group, Live Nation and OVG.
Initial work is already underway on the site, which has been transferred from Cross River Rail to the wider Gabba entertainment precinct, ahead of construction expected to begin in 2027.
Mr Bleijie said negotiations on ownership and operating arrangements would be treated on a commercial basis, with a decision on the successful bidder expected later this year.
“We will hold the tender by the end of this year, and the company that wins the tender will start in 2027 and deliver in 2031,” he said.
If completed on time, the Brisbane Arena will also be able to serve the needs of the Olympic competition in 2032 before the wider site is redeveloped after the Games.
Mr Bleijie also confirmed that minimum spending would be directed towards developing the Gabba for cricket during the Olympics.
“I can assure you that we will spend the minimum because after 2032 these expenditures will end,” he said.
“I think cricket will be played in 2032, then it will go down and houses will go up.”
