Boral is supporting a Queensland council’s vision to build a community precinct, including a new venue for the Brisbane 2032 Games.
The City of Moreton Bay and Boral have backed a proposal to create a flatwater rowing venue and community precinct in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The proposal has been presented as an alternative to the current selection of the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, which is currently undergoing technical reviews by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) and the international federations for rowing and canoeing.
The evaluations are part of a standard process that assesses a site’s technical capability, including river flow, water levels, wind, and operational requirements, as well as field-of-play options, to ensure they meet international competition and Olympic and Paralympic Games standards.
The venue is funded through a $7.1 billion agreement, which was renegotiated by the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments in July 2025.
“This is an exciting phase. As we progress to venue design and technical approval, we can now get down into the detail and technical considerations that go into delivering a world class venue for competitors that Queenslanders can be proud of,” GIICA chief executive officer Simon Crooks said.
Both presidents of the international rowing and canoeing federations have come out in support of the work underway on the Fitzroy River venue as they await the results of further technical assessments.
“Fairness and integrity of competition is our utmost priority, and we look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to undertake further technical assessments of the Fitzroy River to reach a final position in a timely manner,” World Rowing president Jean-Christophe Rolland said.
International Canoe Federation president Thomas Konietzko said, “We welcome the feasibility work completed so far and will continue to provide practical technical guidance as planning progresses, ensuring that athlete needs and competition requirements remain central to the process.”
Rockhampton MP Donna Kirkland has also come out in support of the Fitzroy River venue, which was set to be a key part of the region’s involvement in the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Rockhampton and the broader Central Queensland community are excited about being a Games host city and the infrastructure and investment legacy that will bring to our region,” she said.
“The mighty Fitzroy River is a proud part of Rockhampton’s history, and the opportunity of showcasing it on the world stage is something we can all be proud of.”
Despite this, the City of Moreton Bay is seeking formal consideration and assessment of the Flatwater Precinct through the appropriate Olympic and technical review processes.
The proposal for the flatwater rowing venue would redevelop the Boral quarry on Lawnton Pocket Road into a major rowing venue, in a similar vein to Penrith Lakes, which was born from the rehabilitation of the sand and gravel quarry there and used in the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics for the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
Boral played a key role in the redevelopment and is one of the shareholders in the Penrith Lakes Development Corporation (PLDC), alongside Holcim Australia and Heidelberg Materials Australia.
The PLDC is the entity that has overseen the site’s rehabilitation and the handover to the NSW state government.
“Penrith Lakes was once the largest sand and gravel quarry in the southern hemisphere, responsible for producing 80 per cent of Sydney’s building supplies,” Boral executive general manager for property, planning and environment, Kate Jackson said previously.
“And as an employee of the major shareholder, this exemplifies the 360-degree ‘end to end’ approach we take at Boral when it comes to the responsible management of our properties through the lifecycle of the asset.
“The rehabilitation of the quarry site has created a system of lakes both for water recreation activities and wildlife protection.”
City of Moreton Bay mayor Peter Flannery said this new venue could create a legacy for rowing in Queensland.
“This is not about a single moment in 2032. It is about creating infrastructure that is used every day, supports future generations, and leaves Queensland stronger long after the Games are over,” he said.
The City of Moreton Bay Council has partnered with Boral, which will support the development of the precinct that will integrate the flatwater venue.
The overall vision for the Moreton Bay Central precinct would integrate the flatwater venue alongside commercial offices, a university and college precinct, the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, and a new residential community. It has been reported that the residential community would include more than 750 homes. Jackson said the proposal was a strong example of long‑term planning that considers elite sport, community use and environmental outcomes.
“Our focus is on ensuring infrastructure is fit-for-purpose, deliverable and designed for long-term use, not just for the Games,” she said. •
