World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Large crocodile spotted near proposed 2032 Olympic rowing venue
A saltwater crocodile over three metres long was spotted near a golf course in Rockhampton, Queensland.
The sighting was within a few kilometres of the Fitzroy River site proposed for rowing and canoe sprint at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said the sighting had not been reported to it and is now under investigation.
Rockhampton has hosted rowing events and training, but the river is crocodile habitat, and the venue’s suitability and safety have been questioned.
Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles says the government should release the technical report on the venue and explain how crocodile risks would be managed.
Wildlife rangers may assess the crocodile’s behaviour before deciding what to do, while Olympic organisers await further venue planning details.
A crocodile was spotted near the proposed Fitzroy River rowing venue for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said he had no concerns about the venue and was confident Rockhampton could host the events.
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said the sighting had not been reported to it and was under investigation.
The crocodile’s size is disputed: a golf club representative estimated about 1.2 metres, while ABC reported it was estimated at more than 3 metres.
Rowing Australia life member Ray Ebert said the sighting raised questions about how crocodile risks would be managed.
- Who
- A crocodile was spotted near the proposed venue; Queensland authorities, Olympic planners and rowing representatives are responding.
- What
- The sighting has renewed questions about crocodile risks at the proposed Fitzroy River rowing venue.
- When
- The crocodile was spotted at the weekend; the sighting was discussed on Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Near the 11th hole of North Rockhampton Golf Club, on Splitters Creek near the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland.
- Why
- The sighting has prompted questions about how crocodile risks would be managed for the 2032 Games.
Queensland government
Critics of the proposed venue
Venue safety
Queensland government
Premier David Crisafulli said he had no concerns and backed Rockhampton’s ability to host the events.
Critics of the proposed venue
Ray Ebert questioned how authorities would manage crocodile risks; Opposition Leader Steven Miles called for release of the technical report.
Crocodile risk
Queensland government
Crisafulli expressed confidence in the venue, and an animal ecology lecturer said crocodiles are less mobile in winter.
Critics of the proposed venue
Ebert said the sighting was a wake-up call and raised questions about the venue’s safety and suitability.
Two crocodile sightings were reported in the area, involving animals about 2.5 metres and 1 metre long.
A saltwater crocodile was spotted upstream from the Rockhampton rowing course, according to the Queensland government's sightings dashboard.
Crisafulli announced that the Rockhampton venue had passed an independent technical assessment for rowing and canoe sprint.
A crocodile was spotted near the 11th hole of North Rockhampton Golf Club.
The environment department said the sighting was under investigation, while Crisafulli expressed confidence in the venue.
- Proposed venue
- Fitzroy River, Rockhampton
- Games
- 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games
- Crocodile location
- Near the 11th hole of North Rockhampton Golf Club
- Estimated size
- About 1.2 metres, according to the golf club president; more than 3 metres in the ABC report
- Department response
- Sighting under investigation after it was not reported to the department
2 sources
What people are saying
No.
It's a bit of a shock to me,
It's not the crocodiles that you can see that I would be worried about, it's the ones that I can't see
It has been a resident … for the past 12 months