The Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharpe and council have expressed their ‘shock’ and ‘disappointment’ that Lake Wyaralong missed out on being named as a venue for the 2032 Olympics.
It follows an announcement by Premier David Crisafulli last week that Fitzroy River in Rockhampton would host canoeing and rowing events for the Games instead.
The decision was based on a 100 day Independent review of infrastructure projects for the Olympics.
Previously, Lake Wyaralong had been listed as the frontrunner for hosting Games events but despite years of work by Scenic Rim Regional Council, Queensland Rowing and other local organisations the site was overlooked in the current review.
Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharpe said that the decision came as a ‘broadside’ as there has been an incredible amount of work that had been done over a long period of time.
“Scenic Rim in the previous view was slated for that event and to be sent North without a feasibility study it’s difficult to really know where that came from and how it landed in that manner,” he said.
Mayor Tom Sharpe said the home of rowing in Queensland is Lake Wyaralong.
“There was a wonderful series of announcements by the Queensland Government to make this a regional games and spread through the region and we are a rural/regional area,” he said.
“We are positioned in the right area of South-East Queensland, where at least 90 percent of the rowers live.
“Lake Wyaralong is also an ideal legacy project as it would provide lasting benefits for the community.
“Currently the dam has the best facilities with the best access and best opportunity for rowers in Queensland,” Mayor Sharpe said.
The Mayor said that he will continue working with Premier David Crisafulli and the LNP Government to reconsider the decision and bring back the Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events in 2032 to the home of Queensland rowing, Lake Wyaralong.
