Secrecy over Olympic rowing course fuels south-east rower backlash

The Queensland government took a victory lap of Rockhampton on Friday, celebrating the previous day’s announcement in parliament that the contentious Olympic rowing course had received international sign-off.

Premier David Crisafulli told state parliament on Thursday the Fitzroy River course had passed technical assessment “with flying colours” but did not table the report, nor did his government – or the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority – release it for public scrutiny.

QRowunion chairman Gary Merritt said that raised suspicions, and harked back to what he said were premature remarks by Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie earlier this year.

“If you cherry-pick quotes out of a report and don’t release the whole report, you have every right to be suspicious,” Merritt said.

“I’m sure there is a lot more to what’s going on. This government pulled the same stunt back in March and announced it was all signed, sealed and delivered.

Visiting the Fitzroy River site on Friday morning, Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg defended the secrecy around the WaterProof Marine Consultancy assessment.

“It’s not our report. It’s actually a report done for the Games themselves,” he said.

“I make the observation that it does, however, provide the certainty for us to be able to move forward and deliver exactly what we said we would do, which is rowing here [in Rockhampton].”

Alongside Mickelberg was Fitzroy Canoe Club president Andrew Miller, who said holding Olympic and Paralympic events would be a boon for the Central Queensland city.

“It’s great for us and, yes, for our sisters and brothers in the rowing,” he said.

“It’s great for us in [course] infrastructure, but I tell you where it’s great – it’s great for this whole community.

“As a local businessman, for all businesses, commerce, for everybody in this whole region, the self-esteem and what this will bring to this area is massive.”

“Make no mistake, it is good for Rocky, and we applaud their joyous reaction,” he said.

“But what’s good for Rocky is very, very bad for the community of rowers in south-east Queensland.”