Overview
- Premier David Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie visited Rockhampton on Thursday to reaffirm the state’s commitment to the Fitzroy site and promised a 1,200‑bed athletes’ village to address accommodation shortfalls.
- World Rowing and several national federations have publicly raised technical worries about tides, currents and wind on the natural Fitzroy course, and a formal federation assessment is currently under way after concerns aired at last week’s World Rowing congress.
- The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority rejected Rockhampton in its 100‑day review because the site lacks sufficient field‑of‑play and warm‑up space, has inadequate onshore access and requires major road and accommodation upgrades.
- Local bodies say the region needs about 1,200 extra short‑term rooms by 2032 and Rowing Queensland’s safety plan even includes crocodile‑sighting procedures, while the City of Moreton Bay has proposed a cheaper, $250 million purpose‑built Lawnton course as an alternative.
- Final approval rests with World Rowing and the International Olympic Committee, and the federation’s technical report will decide whether Queensland’s political pledge becomes an accepted venue or forces relocation with major cost and legacy implications.