How a regional river became the centre of a political storm and international intrigue

As the boats get closer to the finish line, the barracking from parents and supporters on the riverbank starts to drown out the crews’ voices being carried over the still water.

It’s an idyllic setting. Paperbarks line the river, a sea of green either side of the brown Fitzroy River.

On any other day, this would be prime real estate for a quiet picnic surrounded by the sounds of the Australian bush.

This weekend, though, Rockhampton’s Ski Gardens is a hive of activity for the Queensland Schools Championship Regatta. There are 800 kids competing, with hundreds more parents and volunteers lining the shores.

All things going well, in six years’ time, it will host the Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoe sprint events.

Now, the place is packed. Just imagine the tens of thousands jammed in here in 2032.

But that’s a puzzle for the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority and the Brisbane 2032 organising committee to solve, after World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide signed off on the field-of-play technical report last week .

LNP politicians are hard to avoid. Senator Matt Canavan, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and local MPs are all spotted doing victory laps of the venue after news of the report – yet to be made public – filtered through.

This normally quiet river reach has found itself at the centre of a political storm and intense international intrigue.

This week, the BBC was forced to remove a video claiming the body of water was home to 500 crocodiles, after Canavan pointed out the footage was actually filmed in Western Australia.

It’s all been a bit much for Sarah Black, president of the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club, who just wants to enjoy the moment.

She remembers “just being absolutely in awe” when the Olympic plans were first announced.

“The announcement came out and I was just bombarded by texts and emails – people just so excited – Rockhampton’s got the rowing!” she says.

“It was phenomenal. It was an amazing moment to be part of, and just to be present for.”