Rocky road to Brisbane 2032
Olympic rowers, Queenslanders and the global Games audience deserve better than a venue chosen for the wrong reasons.
I’ve said this before, but I will say it again. I like Rockhampton, I used to live in Rockhampton; I’ve had friends and extended family members living there and elsewhere in Central Queensland. It’s a good area with plenty of natural attractions and lifestyle benefits.
But — and here’s the big “but” — it’s totally the wrong place for the Olympic rowing events in 2032.
Everybody who knows anything about rowing — and people like me who don’t know anything about rowing but know a cynical political ploy when they see one — seems to acknowledge that. Except Premier David Crisafulli.
I get it that the Premier wants the rest of the state to share in the Games bounty (should there be any), and I get why Rocky might be a city where his political party wants to shore up its support. But the Fitzroy River is not the best place to hold Olympic rowing events.
The Brisbane Times reports that the international rowing federation is urging the state government to consider Lake Kurwongbah as the Olympic rowing venue, citing its legacy potential, proximity to the city, and efficient infrastructure access.
Mr Crisafulli — who promised before the election that there would be no new stadiums for the Games and, once in power, commissioned the Victoria Park complex — is no stranger to backflips.
He should make another one now before we’re committed to something that is not fit for purpose, will diminish the appeal of the Games and will do little or nothing for the long-term future of the wonderful regional city of Rockhampton.
Mister Brisbane is free to read, but if you appreciate what I’m doing here, and/or
at The Wrinkle and Radio Bert, you can buy me a coffee.
P.S.
Stories about crocs in the Fitzroy are, as politicians are wont to say, a distraction.