Wyaralong misses out on rowing
LEADERS are disappointed and shocked at a decision to shaft Wyaralong Dam as a favoured rowing venue for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
At the Brisbane 2032 Delivery Plan launch on March 25, the Queensland Government instead announced Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River to host the rowing.
The decision sparked disappointment from Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp, State Member for Scenic Rim Jon Krause and Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz.
The Queensland, Australian and World Rowing Federations all questioned the decision. The international body said while the Fitzroy River has been suitable for training purposes, it has not undergone any technical feasibility study that would confirm its ability to host national or international level racing.
Wyaralong has long been considered the front-runner to host 2032 Games’ rowing.
In a sign of how confident the region has been, the Scenic Rim Regional Council widely spruiks Wyaralong online and in its Draft Sport and Recreation Plan 2024-2034.
“The Scenic Rim’s beautiful Lake Wyaralong will host the Games’ rowing and canoeing events, which demonstrates our region’s ability to host world-class sporting events as the home of Queensland’s State Rowing Centre,” Council’s website says.
Up for a fight
Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp is reeling from the decision but not ready to give up.
Cr Sharp, who is on the Council of Mayors South East Queensland Leveraging 32 Working Group and recently completed a mission abroad to maximise 2032 Games opportunities, said it was about much more than the Games themselves.
He said it was about addressing infrastructure deficits in roads, energy and water across south-east Queensland.
Cr Sharp said he still believed Wyaralong was the correct venue.
“Rowers know it, Scenic Rim knows it, Queenslanders know it, the home of rowing in Queensland is Wyaralong and that’s what we will be working on,” he said.
“We are totally committed to hopefully having the rowing for the 2032 Olympics at Wyaralong. Put it this way – you can’t make a silk purse out of crocodile skin.”
A ‘bitterly disappointed’ Buchholz said while he believed in managing the public’s expectations now a decision had been made, he was open to opportunity.
“If the door is open an inch and there’s a glimmer of light shining through that doorway myself, the Mayor and the State member will be leaning on that door as hard as we can on behalf of the region,” he said.
State Member for Scenic Rim Jon Krause described the decision as disappointing for the region.
“No other region in Queensland can match our proximity to the capital, coast and country. Hosting the 2032 Games is the ultimate opportunity to showcase the Scenic Rim as millions visit southeast Queensland in the lead-up to, during and beyond 2032,” he said.
“I am determined to ensure our region secures local benefits that come from our State hosting the Games.
“The time for second-guessing the location of venues is now over. It is time to get on with delivering a world-class Games in 2032 – for the benefit of Scenic Rim, and all of Queensland.”
