Queensland's deputy premier, Jarrod Bleijie, has warned that rowing could be scrapped from the 2032 Brisbane Olympics unless the International Olympic Committee agrees to hold the event on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton. The river is home to saltwater crocodiles, raising safety concerns, but Bleijie insists the 'mighty Fitzroy' is the only option.
Bleijie, who is also the state's infrastructure and planning minister, stated on Wednesday: 'Rowing is gonna be in Rocky. If they don't want it in Rocky – it ain't happening. That's a big call for the IOC.' He later clarified that the Queensland government had decided rowing would be in Rockhampton, and the IOC would not have the final say.
The Fitzroy River has not yet been assessed by World Rowing to meet technical requirements for international racing, including conditions such as weeds, water quality, and currents. World Rowing and the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee declined to comment, while Rowing Australia said it would await the outcome of the technical assessment.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously dismissed the Fitzroy as a 'sensible' proposition due to crocodile habitat. However, rowers and canoeists regularly use the river above a barrage that separates salt and freshwater, where park rangers remove large crocodiles.
Sports studies senior lecturer Steve Georgakis from the University of Sydney said the state lacks the legal power to cancel rowing, calling Bleijie's comments 'bravado' and 'internal politicking' to reassure Rockhampton. He noted that rowing is central to Australia's gold medal pursuits and has been in every modern Olympics since 1896, except for the first Games.
