Crocodile river hosts Olympic rowing trials

More than 600 teenage rowers are competing this weekend on Queensland's Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, which has just been approved as the 2032 Brisbane Olympics rowing venue. The river is home to around 500 saltwater crocodiles that can grow to four metres long.

No crocodile attacks in 40 years

State government records going back more than 40 years show no attacks by saltwater crocodiles on humans in the Fitzroy River, despite regular sightings of the reptiles.

Fairness is the real concern

Elite rowers and international rowing federations say the river's tidal bends and currents make it unsuitable for fair competition, not the crocodiles. This was raised at the World Rowing congress in Amsterdam last month.

Olympic gold medallist questions venue

Drew Ginn, who won three Olympic gold medals for Australia in rowing, told the BBC he had concerns over potential flooding and fairness at the venue. He said athletes would likely row faster due to the river's conditions.

“I'm not fearful of the Australian animals but I've never had a crocodile near me.”

Distance from Brisbane also questioned

The German rowing body's president said athletes questioned the sustainability of holding the event 600 kilometres from Brisbane, adding to concerns about the regional location.

Premier dismisses critics as elites

Queensland premier David Crisafulli accused interstate and overseas rowing officials of trying to bully their way out of going to regional Queensland, calling them elites who don't want to leave the city.

“It is a group of interstate and overseas elites who are trying to bully their way because they don't want to go to regional Queensland.”

Rowers defend expertise concerns

International rowing officials said their concerns had nothing to do with regional preference but with ensuring fair racing conditions for athletes who train four years for the Olympics.

Technical assessment approves venue

World Rowing and the International Olympic Committee approved the Fitzroy River after an engineering firm assessed the riverbed, competition course, flows, water levels and weather conditions. They concluded it can provide fair competition.

“Based on the extensive analysis undertaken, we now know that the Fitzroy River is capable of providing fair competition conditions.”

Government ignored its own report

Queensland commissioned a 2025 report that found Rockhampton unsuitable and recommended using Sydney's 2000 Olympics rowing course instead. The government ignored this recommendation.

Crocodile safety plan for school regatta

The safety plan for this weekend's school rowing event mentions crocodiles 28 times and includes procedures to suspend racing if one is spotted. The official signal is calling out crocodile three times.

“No natural waterway in crocodile country can be guaranteed to be crocodile-free.”

Rinehart company defends river safety

Hancock Prospecting, owned by Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart, dismissed crocodile and flooding concerns as fake media issues. The company said Rockhampton residents have trained children in the river without incident.

Sydney venue ready as backup plan

The 2000 Olympics rowing venue in Sydney is ready and waiting as a backup if the Fitzroy River doesn't work out, though Brisbane organisers are making contingency plans for any venue.