Countdown to decision on CQ’s Olympic Future
Posted on March 18th, 2025
The countdown is officially on for the future of Central QLD’s Olympic and Paralympic bids, with the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s 100-Day Review due for public release in just over a week.
Central QLD’s political, business and community leaders are waiting with great anticipation for the report, which is expected to recommend where each 2032 Olympic sport will be held.
If successful, CQ would see the 2032 Rowing and Canoeing events held on the Fitzroy River, Sailing events held along the Capricorn Coast and Ocean Rowing held at Emu Park.
Rowing and canoeing events are currently planned for Wyaralong Dam, over an hour south of Brisbane, where athletes will stay at Kooralbyn, more than half an hour from the event. Sailing events are currently planned to occur on the Manly Boat Harbour, over 600km away from the state’s prestigious Great Barrier Reef.
With guiding principles of the 100-Day Review “to maximise the use of existing venues, provide value within the agreed funding envelope, leverage investments, deliver a legacy focus, integrate within existing plans and create benefits for rural and regional Queensland”, local leaders say the region “fits the Olympic objectives perfectly”.
Comments from Central Queensland leaders
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has commended all levels of government for coming together to work on these Olympic and Paralympic bids, highlighting the region’s status as a premier location for the sports.
“The Fitzroy River and Capricorn Coast are both renowned as some of the best venues for competitive rowing and sailing”, Ms Landry said.
“Our region has a world-class rowing course, with an investment by council into brand-new rowing lanes already underway.
“The Fitzroy River and Capricorn Coast host hundreds of athletes in both sports. International bodies have already chosen Keppel Bay to host the 2026 sailing world titles, and similar considerations are underway for rowing on the Fitzroy.
“Our region has already proven we are up to the Olympic challenge, and we are ready to share in the Olympic-sized opportunities.”
Assistant Minister for Central QLD and Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland says the rowing proposal “ticks all the boxes” and would deliver a serious legacy for the region.
“Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic rowing just minutes from the Rockhampton CBD would be a gamechanger for Central Queensland,” Ms Kirkland said.
“It is one of the best natural water rowing courses in the world. The course is sealed by the Rockhampton barrage so isn’t affected by tides, it has rowers on it every single day and already hosts hundreds of competitors in regional and state championships.
“It ticks all the boxes. It is millions cheaper than the current planned site while delivering a 1200-bed athletes’ village right here in Rockhampton to help get vulnerable Queenslanders into safe and affordable housing post-Games.
“It’s cheaper while maximising more long-term benefits for regional Queensland than the current planned site.”
CEO of Capricorn Enterprise Mary Carroll says both the sailing and rowing bids would drive long-term tourism into Central Queensland.
“This bid aligns perfectly with our Towards Tourism 2032 targets for our destination which will see an additional 8,228 airline seats per month and direct routes to multiple capital cities,” Ms Carroll said.
“We have approved commercial accommodation and associated infrastructure in our destination which can be expedited by investors with this positive announcement. Our region will be generating well in excess of our targeted $835 million overnight visitor expenditure (OVE) to 2032. We have already reached $809m OVE to the year ending September 2024.
“Our region deserves this – we are poised, ready and waiting to host some of the best Olympic and Paralympic rowing, sailing and canoeing ever!”
President of Capricornia Chamber of Commerce Jason Foss says the region’s Olympic and Paralympic bids would drive massive business growth and investment into the region.
“Hosting the 2032 rowing and canoeing events in Rockhampton would be a huge opportunity for small businesses in our region,” Mr Foss said.
“Between growth in current small businesses and new ones starting, it would be a real shot in the arm for the local economy.
“New and expanded hotels, cafes and restaurants would drive serious growth in our region and open up hundreds of local job opportunities.”
Chair of The Shelter Collective Dave Grenfell says the proposal to build a 1200-bed athletes’ village would help turn the tide on the housing crisis in Central QLD.
“There are currently more than 1460 people in Rockhampton on the social housing rental register. We have a lack of affordable housing for our essential service workers. The issue is simply supply and demand,” Mr Grenfell said.
“Our social and emergency short term and medium-term housing is full with long term affordable housing stock scarce.
“The proposal to build an athletes’ village that could be transformed to legacy affordable housing would help alleviate the affordable housing crisis in Rockhampton in the years ahead.”
Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton hopes to see the Southern Great Barrier Reef on display, with Great Keppel Island just a short distance from the Capricorn Coast sailing and ocean rowing events.
“Our state is home to one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef, and Olympic and Paralympic sailing on the Capricorn coast would be the only medal event to showcase it,” Mr Hutton said.
“With beautiful Yeppoon, Great Keppel Island and our Southern Great Barrier Reef in the one place, the Capricorn Coast is the best location to host Olympic and Paralympic sailing anywhere in the state.”
Senator for Queensland Matt Canavan says Central QLD is perfectly placed to deliver on the guiding principles of the review and reap the benefits for regional Queensland that the bid for the 2032 Olympics promised.
“The Fitzroy River rowing facility is cheaper to upgrade than the currently planned location, while being closer to everything and saving the state millions,” Senator Canavan said.
“Central QLD is well placed to host some fantastic Olympic and Paralympic events while delivering both legacy to the region and savings to the state.
“Our region is a proven host of both rowing and sailing events and if successful would be the only medal events outside of the south-east corner.
“These bids would allow all Queenslanders to be proud of our Olympic Games.”
The final report with recommendations for the site of each Olympic and Paralympic sport is due to be released publicly by the Queensland Government on March 25.
