Concerns voiced for crocodiles' future at Olympic site
A crocodile habitat selected to host 2032 Olympic rowing has sparked fears for the reptiles' future at the proposed site.
A renowned biologist has raised concerns about the Brisbane Games' potential impact on two endangered turtle species at central Queensland's Fitzroy River.
However Dr Col Limpus said he was more worried about the Rockhampton venue's crocodile population amid concerns perceived safety fears would lead to their unjustified removal.
The environmental impact is set to come under scrutiny after Queensland Premier David Crisafulli claimed the Fitzroy River had passed an independent technical assessment for 2032 "with flying colours".
The proposed Olympic venue is home to the endangered Fitzroy River "bum breathing" turtle, along with the white-throated snapping turtle.
Dr Limpus said development at the 2032 site may have a local impact but it was "highly improbable" it would further endanger either species as a whole.
"It is still a concern. Obviously we don't want to see additional threats to them," he told AAP.
"Ideally we can work out if any special actions are required to counter any potential problems."
Dr Limpus was confident there was ample time to survey the area and assess the risk of boat strikes and the impact on the turtles' river-bank nesting.
"The potential is there, as a reaction, to go and remove the big breeding crocodiles there."
Debate over the 2032 rowing crocodile threat has been ongoing since the Queensland government first pitched the Fitzroy River as host back in March 2025.
It ramped up after UK broadcaster BBC was recently accused of using "scary" footage from the wrong river in a post about the proposed 2032 site titled: "River with 500 crocodiles chosen as Olympic rowing venue".
It featured footage of a giant croc in the story about the Rockhampton venue, asking "Would you go rowing in this river?".
Dr Limpus said there was only a small number of large crocodiles in the Fitzroy River that were a potential risk to people.
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