Overview
- World Rowing president Jean-Christophe Rolland and ICF president Thomas Konietzko publicly supported using Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River, as GIICA said it is testing two field‑of‑play options and moving into detailed planning.
- Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has maintained the events will be in Rockhampton, with officials evaluating a full 2-kilometre course that would finish near the Fitzroy Barrage.
- The international federations said athlete fairness and safety remain the priority, and they will keep feasibility work going before reaching a final position.
- A GIICA study reported the river would need sections widened and dredged to create even lanes, and a river-flow expert warned ongoing annual dredging could be required with sediment shifts posing environmental risks downstream.
- A rival Lawnton flatwater course in Moreton Bay has drawn enthusiasm from World Rowing and support from about 500 rowers seeking a permanent southeast Queensland venue, a contrast with the state’s push to anchor the event in regional Rockhampton.