The Queensland Government plans to spend hundreds of millions on a flood-prone river course 600 km from Brisbane—serving just 200 local rowers while ignoring more than 5,000 rowers across South East Queensland (SEQ). This isn’t a legacy. It’s a costly mistake. Help us fix this now. 

The Queensland Government (the Government) proposes to host the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (the Bris 32 Games) rowing and canoe sprint events on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton (the Rockhampton Proposal). This decision has amazed the Australian rowing and canoe sprint community. If adopted, it would be the first time in nearly 100 years that Olympic rowing is held on a natural river rather than on a lake or purpose‑built course designed to ensure fairness.

The Fitzroy—known as the “Mighty Fitzroy”—is one of Australia’s most volatile and flood‑prone rivers. Major floods occur regularly. A significant flood event, even six months before the Games, could compromise venue readiness or the delivery of a safe, fair Olympic regatta. The proposed course also raises fairness concerns between lanes, caused by wind shadows and current variation.

Rockhampton is a regional city of around 85,000 people with only about 200 rowing participants. It is more than 600 kilometres from Brisbane, making it the most geographically distant (by 500kms) Olympic rowing venue from its host city in modern Olympic history. This distance isolates athletes from the host city / region and dramatically reduces spectator attendance for a sport that traditionally draws some of the largest crowds at an Olympic Games.

Around 80% of Queensland’s rowing and canoe sprint participants live in SEQ. A Rockhampton venue would therefore deliver minimal post‑Games legacy and risks becoming a costly, under‑used facility—exactly the type of “white elephant” the IOC’s New Norm reforms were designed to prevent. These reforms require Olympic venues to demonstrate long‑term community benefit and credible post‑Games use. The Rockhampton Proposal was therefore not considered a viable option during previous Government reviews (before political involvement occurred).

A viable and exciting SEQ alternative has emerged and is ready to be developed and is substantially designed and costed: a purpose‑built flatwater precinct proposed on the Lawnton Lakes by the City of Moreton Bay and a major Australian company, only 35 minutes from the Brisbane CBD and deliverable at a materially lower cost to taxpayers. This option can be seen via this LINK and in the photo above. It meets fairness standards, supports long‑term participation, and will be used by tens of thousands every year after the Games. Not only by rowers and canoeists but dragon boats, families, triathletes, and large community events.

The Rockhampton Proposal threatens fairness, athlete experience, financial and venue viability, and the sustainable legacy that the Bris 32 Games is meant to deliver. On the other hand, the Lawnton Lakes option provides a better, fairer, cheaper, more sustainable alternative which will provide a true legacy for several sports and a large community of users.

The Rockhampton Proposal fails on fairness, fails on legacy, fails athletes,  fails Games spectators and fails the taxpayers of Australia! 

For more information about the background to this issue:  click Here 

Our Specific Appeals are to: 

1. World Rowing - President: Refuse to approve the Rockhampton Proposal if it cannot strictly meet fairness requirements under the World Rowing Statutes and its international rowing course specifications and resist any Government pressure to compromise those requirements .

2. Rowing Australia (RA) - CEO: Oppose the Rockhampton Proposal and advocate for an SEQ venue that best supports the long‑term development, growth, and strength of rowing in Australia.

3. International Olympic Committee (IOC) - President: Enforce the Olympic Charter and Host City Contract requirements, including: credible post‑Games legacy use, avoidance of white‑elephant venues and, meaningful community benefit.

4. Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) - CEO: Uphold its obligation to ensure compliance with the Olympic Charter and use its influence to convey the unacceptability of the Rockhampton Proposal to the Queensland Government.

5. Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee (Bris 32) - President : Deliver the Games in accordance with the Host Contract and Olympic Charter, by protecting Games quality, revenue, broadcast value, and athlete experience, and resist Government pressure to support inappropriate venue selections.

6. Rowing Queensland (RQ) - Board: Advocate for the development of appropriate rowing facilities where they are most needed—namely in SEQ—as required by RQ’s objects.

We call for all the above governing bodies to uphold their own rules, value legacy and the efforts of athletes, and help ensure that Brisbane 2032 delivers a world‑class, fair, and sustainable rowing venue of which Australia can be proud!

Please sign and share this petition with others.

CURRENT OR FORMER ROWING OR CANOE SPRINT PARTICIPANTS (AS AN ATHLETE, COACH OR OFFICIAL) OR A ROWING COMMUNITY MEMBER COULD YOU ALSO PLEASE TAKE ONE MINUTE TO COMPLETE THE SHORT FORM AT THIS LINK SO THAT WE HAVE THE PROFILE OF OUR PETITIONERS. IT GREATLY STRENGTHENS THE IMPACT OF THIS PETITION. IF NOT, YOUR SUPPORT IS STILL VERY MUCH REQUESTED.

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Petition Starters  

Gary Merritt, Ray Ebert AM, Ceinwen Fay and Penny Dixon

Long standing servants of Qld and Australian Rowing who make this broad change.org appeal based on the initial support and encouragement of hundreds (including Olympians, Paralympians, Australian rowing representatives and the broader Qld and Australian rowing community).