From crocs to barramundi: Fitzroy River goes for gold with Olympic green light

The Fitzroy River is one stroke closer to making Olympic history, after the central Queensland waterway received its first major tick of approval to host rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Brisbane Games.

Once dismissed as an unlikely contender, Rockhampton’s iconic river, known for its barramundi, crocs, and mighty tides, has now passed initial technical testing by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA), paving the way for what could be one of the most uniquely Australian venues of the Games.

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan, who sits on the CQ32 Rowing Legacy Advisory Committee, told the ABC he was thrilled with the results from the state’s feasibility study.

“Effectively now we have a green light for rowing in 2032,” Mr Canavan said.

“All the data is in. There is no longer any barrier to having the rowing here.”

The CQ32 committee, which includes local political, tourism and business leaders, confirmed the findings on Tuesday, signalling growing confidence that the Fitzroy can meet the world’s strictest rowing standards.

The government’s testing covered everything from flow rates to water depth, data that will be key in convincing World Rowing, the international federation, that the Fitzroy is ready for global competition.

The federation is conducting its own independent assessment, with results still to come.

Mr Canavan told the ABC one of the biggest hurdles had been whether the river’s flow met the required benchmarks, and the results could not have been better.

“What is clear now after the months of testing … is that those flow rates are well below the thresholds that are set for a competition,” he said.

“We had to do this testing to make sure, and now we are sure that this river is flat as a tack.

“I mean, if Jesus Christ ever came back to this world, it’s a great place for him to come because it’s flat enough to walk on.”

The Fitzroy, the largest river system flowing to the Great Barrier Reef, winds through the heart of Rockhampton.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli previously said the management of crocodiles would also form part of the venue’s safety assessment, a perfectly Queensland complication for an Olympic course.

Once the GIICA completes its full feasibility review, the venue’s Project Validation Report will head to the next stage before funding is signed off.

Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club president Sarah Black told the ABC the local community was already preparing to make the most of the opportunity.

“(We are) also looking to attract more national and international events moving forward and (at) what will give us the most legacy now that we have this very green light,” she said.