Concerns voiced for crocodiles’ future at Olympic site
Laine Clark |
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.
“I am more concerned about the future of the crocodiles,” he said.
“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.
“We are not talking hundreds,” he said.
However he was confident safety measures could be put in place for rowing to be held at the event.
The Queensland Schools Regatta was held at the Rockhampton site without a hitch on the weekend.
“Going out at the day time and having a look when it is engaged in activities, you aren’t necessarily seeing the big crocodile sitting on the bottom,” Dr Limpus said.
“There is a need for careful consideration but it is manageable.
“There are all sorts of things that you can do to minimise the impact – it’s how you manage the event.”
The state government is yet to detail how it will stage 2032 rowing after claiming it was “signed, sealed and delivered” at the Fitzroy River.
However critics have warned the decision is not over the line yet with the International Olympic Committee still to approve a sustainability and environmental report.
AAP