Queensland officials said saltwater crocodiles will not prevent the Fitzroy River from hosting rowing events during the 2032 [1] Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The dispute highlights a tension between local government ambitions to distribute Olympic events across the region and the safety requirements of international athletic bodies. If the venue is rejected, the region may lose a significant infrastructure and tourism opportunity associated with the Games.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Nationals Leader Matt Canavan have supported the use of the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton. The river has a long history of hosting competitive rowing, with records of the sport on the waterway dating back to 1863 [2]. More recently, the river served as the location for the 2009 [3] Australian Masters Championships.

However, Olympic officials have raised safety concerns regarding athletes competing in waters known to be home to saltwater crocodiles [4]. The risk of crocodile encounters in the river has led to a debate over whether the site meets the stringent safety standards required for an Olympic venue [4].

Despite these warnings, the Queensland attorney-general said that the presence of crocodiles would not stop the river from being used for the events [5]. The state government continues to push for the venue's inclusion in the 2032 [1] program, emphasizing the river's historical suitability for the sport.

Rockhampton officials believe the venue would showcase the region's natural landscape to a global audience. They said that the river's capacity and history make it a viable choice, provided that appropriate safety measures are implemented to mitigate the risks posed by the local wildlife [4].

“Queensland officials said saltwater crocodiles will not prevent the Fitzroy River from hosting rowing events.”

The conflict reflects a broader challenge for the 2032 Brisbane Games: balancing the desire to spread events across regional Queensland with the strict safety and liability mandates of the International Olympic Committee. While local officials rely on historical precedence and regional pride, the presence of apex predators creates a unique liability risk that could force a compromise on venue selection or require unprecedented wildlife management strategies.