November 2, 2026 โ 1:28pm
Queenslandโs premier says he has no concerns about the viability of rowing in Rockhampton at the 2032 Games after a crocodile was sighted near the Fitzroy River.
A photo shared by the North Rockhampton Golf Club on Sunday showed a croc just off the 11th hole, on Splitters Creek which runs off the Fitzroy.
A manager at the venue told this masthead the photograph was taken by a member, and claimed animal was significantly smaller than it appeared in the image.
โIt has been a resident โฆ for the past 12 months,โ president Brian Phelan said.
โIt has never been a problem, members and visitors are very aware of its presence with signage throughout the course.โ
He described it as a โbaby crocodileโ and estimated its length at about 1.2 metres, while a report from local ABC estimated the animal was 3 metres.
Asked if the government had concerns about the sighting on Monday morning, Premier David Crisafulli said: โNo.โ
He said he believed the Fitzroy River was a world-class venue that held excellent rowing events.
โItโs a magnificent community, and theyโll do it very well,โ Crisafulli added.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said later in the morning he was also confident the venue would be safe for rowers at the Olympics.
โI challenge anyone who thinks rowing canโt be delivered in Rocky to head up to Rocky and have a look,โ he told reporters at Central Station in Brisbane.
โThe rowing club on the banks of the Fitzroy there is exceptional, and Iโm sure itโll be a great success in 2032.โ
The governmentโs decision to push for rowing in the Fitzroy River has attracted pushback from some, and been a major talking point in Olympic preparations.
The Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club is directly opposite the North Rockhampton Golf Club.
Dr Ross Dwyer, a senior lecturer in animal ecology at the University of Sunshine Coast, said crocodile sightings in the area were not unusual.
He added the animals would likely be less active during the winter months when the Olympics would be held, though reiterated crocodiles near humans were always a threat.
โTheyโre cold-blooded โฆ if it is winter time, crocodiles are less mobile,โ Dwyer said.
โTheyโre certainly still moving around, and you would certainly want to be careful.
โIโm sure Iโm sure efforts will be done to make sure itโs safe at that time.โ
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Source: The Age ยท William Davis
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