Organisers have approved a river that is home to an estimated 500 saltwater crocodiles as the venue for rowing and canoeing at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. The decision confirms the waterway will be used for both Olympic and Paralympic competitions when the Games are held in Queensland.
The selection is notable because of the river's large crocodile population. The presence of a sizeable number of large reptiles in the competition area is likely to prompt scrutiny of safety protocols, operational planning and contingency arrangements as preparations progress toward 2032.
Saltwater crocodiles are a large predatory species native to northern Australia and parts of the Indo-Pacific. Their presence in the chosen river underlines the challenges of staging elite water-sport events in natural environments and will require detailed risk assessments, monitoring and management as part of venue planning.
The approval forms part of wider preparations for the Brisbane Games, which will rely on a mix of existing and upgraded venues. Planners and sporting authorities now face the task of setting out how athlete safety, logistics and spectator access will be managed at the site in the run-up to the Games.
Further details on the specific safety measures, monitoring programmes and timeline for any required works at the river are expected to be provided as venue preparations continue. The decision also highlights broader questions about the use of natural waterways for high-profile international sporting events.