Premier Stands Firm on Rockhampton's Olympic Rowing Bid

Queensland's Premier has reaffirmed the state's commitment to hosting Olympic rowing and canoeing events in Rockhampton for the 2032 Games, despite concerns over accommodation capacity and the suitability of the Fitzroy River.

David Crisafulli made the comments during a visit to Rockhampton, where he met with local politicians, tourism bodies, and sporting groups.

Addressing concerns over accommodation and river suitability

International rowing bodies have questioned the location's suitability for competition, citing concerns over the natural river course, flooding, crocodiles, infrastructure, and racing conditions.

However, Mr. Crisafulli labelled critics "naysayers" and said concerns raised over the past 12 months had already been "debunked easily".

"Every so-called impediment that's been put up has been dismissed," he said. "This is the last hurrah of people trying to find ways to discredit something that makes a hell of a lot of sense. We're not for turning on this."

The Premier pointed to the many regions set to host events, including sailing in Townsville, equestrian in Toowoomba, football in Cairns, and archery in Maryborough.

Accommodation concerns

Media reports have highlighted concerns around a lack of accommodation in the city, citing complaints from parents struggling to find accommodation ahead of next weekend's Queensland Schools' Championship Regatta.

The region's peak tourism body, Capricorn Enterprise, has flagged the need for an extra 1,200 short-term accommodation rooms by 2032.

"We have lost short-term accommodation rooms to long-term rentals because of the housing shortage, [but] that's now starting to be relieved a bit because houses are coming out of the ground pretty quickly" said Capricorn Enterprise chief executive, Mary Carroll. "We just don't have enough rooms. I'm desperate for more accommodation rooms in the next six years."

Driving investment in accommodation

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie argued the Olympic event would drive investment in the accommodation sector, with planning work underway for a 1,200-bed athlete's village.

"The campaign that's being run at the moment — that there's not enough accommodation — that same campaign was run months ago in Brisbane, that's why we're unlocking land," Mr. Bleijie said.

The city hosts Beef Australia every three years, which brings 125,000 extra people to the city.

"We do that in an environment where we have filled every possible piece of accommodation in central Queensland, almost down to Gladstone nowadays," said Beef Australia chief executive Simon Irwin. "The idea that we need to be able to place 25,000 people here is not new."

Confidence in the river's suitability

Mr. Crisafulli reiterated his confidence in the river's suitability, saying technical assessments are heading in the right direction.

"The technical assessments are all heading in the right direction and that's repeatedly what we're being told," he said.

The venue still needs approval from World Rowing.