Decision on Olympic rowing and canoeing venue sends shockwaves through Scenic Rim

Scenic Rim Regional Council has expressed its shock and disappointment following the Queensland Government's naming of Rockhampton as host of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games rowing and canoeing events.

Following the unveiling yesterday of the Crisafulli Government's 2032 Delivery Plan, which included the provision of rowing infrastructure on the Fitzroy River, Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said the decision had ignored the input of key stakeholders including Rowing Queensland.

"As the home of Queensland's State Rowing Centre, Lake Wyaralong was rightly regarded as the frontrunner to host the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games rowing and canoeing events as it had previously been approved as an Olympic venue," Cr Sharp said.

"It is important to note that, each year, significant rowing events are forced to transfer from Rockhampton to Lake Wyaralong in the Scenic Rim due to poor weather and rowing conditions.

"This regular occurrence creates logistics issues for all involved, especially the competitors."

Cr Sharp said the decision to move the rowing and canoeing events to Rockhampton will have significant impacts on the Lake Wyaralong facility and on the region.

"The Scenic Rim has been working with the Queensland Government, Rowing Queensland, Council of Mayors South East Queensland and key stakeholders for almost a decade as a Games Delivery Partner and the Scenic Rim economy will be severely negatively impacted due to this move," he said.

"It is Council's understanding that no designs have been created and no feasibility studies have been conducted for the proposed course at Rockhampton and also that no budgets have been established for this."

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games journey began on 6 March 2015, when the Council of Mayors South East Queensland resolved unanimously to explore the potential for a regional Games. 

These were to have been delivered across Queensland's South East, with a focus on improvements to transport infrastructure to provide a lasting legacy for communities and local industry.

As part of the plan to deliver the regional Games, the Mayors of South East Queensland also proposed an SEQ City Deal, a long-term agreement across three levels of government to deliver the infrastructure needed, not only for the Games but also the future of local communities.

"The Games were set to contribute extensive legacy benefits to the Scenic Rim and the sport of rowing, including substantial accommodation opportunities attracting both private and public investment," Cr Sharp said.

"Scenic Rim commissioned an Economic Impact Analysis earlier this year that supported our business case and focussed on the Scenic Rim Region's Olympic and Paralympic Games accommodation opportunities legacy benefits.

"What economic benefits, investment and legacy will the Scenic Rim now see from the Games?

"As the State Rowing Centre at Wyaralong Dam has been waiting for additional infrastructure and investment due to previous commitments with the Olympics, a decision to move the rowing to Rockhampton will also have significant impacts on this facility."

Cr Sharp said he will continue working with Premier David Crisafulli and the LNP Government to reconsider the decision and bring back the Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events in 2032 to the home of Queensland rowing, Lake Wyaralong.

"Council will continue to advocate for improved infrastructure for the Scenic Rim which should have been a legacy of these Games," he said.

"Our region has already proven its ability to host major rowing events and I would like to recognise the professionalism and great partnerships that have been formed and that Council will continue to foster with Rowing Queensland, Rowing Australia and Paddle Australia."