logo
Locals want to sink bid for new Olympic whitewater site

Locals want to sink bid for new Olympic whitewater site

The Advertiser3 days ago

A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate.
The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW.
It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold.
But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW.
"It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday.
The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games.
The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue.
But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns.
A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith.
"Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing.
"We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted."
A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant".
The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state.
Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability.
"A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said.
Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts.
The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils.
Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas.
They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies.
"By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said.
The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course.
Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth.
"We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March.
"We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy."
A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate.
The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW.
It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold.
But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW.
"It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday.
The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games.
The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue.
But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns.
A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith.
"Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing.
"We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted."
A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant".
The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state.
Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability.
"A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said.
Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts.
The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils.
Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas.
They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies.
"By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said.
The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course.
Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth.
"We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March.
"We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy."
A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate.
The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW.
It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold.
But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW.
"It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday.
The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games.
The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue.
But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns.
A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith.
"Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing.
"We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted."
A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant".
The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state.
Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability.
"A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said.
Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts.
The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils.
Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas.
They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies.
"By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said.
The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course.
Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth.
"We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March.
"We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy."
A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate.
The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW.
It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold.
But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW.
"It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday.
The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games.
The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue.
But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns.
A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith.
"Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing.
"We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted."
A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant".
The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state.
Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability.
"A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said.
Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts.
The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils.
Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas.
They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies.
"By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said.
The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course.
Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth.
"We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March.
"We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The Professor with golden touch plots more swim success
The Professor with golden touch plots more swim success

West Australian

time28 minutes ago

  • West Australian

The Professor with golden touch plots more swim success

Fittingly for a maths and physics nerd nicknamed The Professor, Cam McEvoy uses a bell curve to describe his swimming success. The Olympic 50m freestyle champion's latest data point on his curve was entered at Australia's selection trials for the looming world titles. McEvoy clocked 21.30 seconds, the quickest time in the world this year, to win in Adelaide on Wednesday night. The 31-year-old's feat extends his unheralded two-year span of swims in the low to mid-21 second range. "The best way I can put it is, because my training is so hyper-specific, when it comes time to racing, if I were to put everything out on a bell curve, all I have to do is my average to probably get something like that," McEvoy said. "I don't have to go into a race and hope I'm on that 99th percentile of my best ever. "And that's a huge amount of confidence that just allows you to relax before the race and trust the process." McEvoy has a bachelor of science degree, majoring in physics and mathematics. He aspired to be an astronaut and has worked as a fellow at the Centre for Quantum Dynamics at Queensland's Griffith University. And he relishes the technical intricacies of swimming and his event. "Usually I can finish a rep in training and call it down to the microsecond, within 0.02," McEvoy said. "I know where I'm at each point of the race as well. "You look at the Olympic gymnasts, they do the most crazy stuff and they can do it down to the millimetre - and they can do it day in, day out. "It's a level of skill we're hoping to develop here in the water. "And then what comes with that, there's so many angles you can approach and attack the problem and find 0.03 (reduction) here, 0.08 there. "Then you have just got to hope that on the day, all of it aligns." All has aligned for McEvoy since he almost quit swimming after the Tokyo Olympics of 2021. After an extended hiatus, he returned to the pool and vowed to do things his way. Instead of traditional training, he embarked on funky pursuits including rock climbing and calisthenics. And all his time in the water focused on the minutiae of his event in a revolutionary approach that delivered gold in the French capital at McEvoy's fourth Olympics. "It definitely took a chip off my shoulder that I had for a while," he said of his Olympic triumph. "But the manner in which I did it gives me a lot of pride; thinking about where I was, especially in 2022, but the years before that as well. "To go from there, create something and then execute it - that process is more special than the bit of metal at the end. "Getting that out of the way, to then move on to getting married, having my first born on the way - that's even more special. "Digesting the marriage, digesting starting a family, that puts the whole swimming gig into comparison; it humbles the whole job here and makes me realise there's so much more to the world."

The Professor with golden touch plots more swim success
The Professor with golden touch plots more swim success

Perth Now

time40 minutes ago

  • Perth Now

The Professor with golden touch plots more swim success

Fittingly for a maths and physics nerd nicknamed The Professor, Cam McEvoy uses a bell curve to describe his swimming success. The Olympic 50m freestyle champion's latest data point on his curve was entered at Australia's selection trials for the looming world titles. McEvoy clocked 21.30 seconds, the quickest time in the world this year, to win in Adelaide on Wednesday night. The 31-year-old's feat extends his unheralded two-year span of swims in the low to mid-21 second range. "The best way I can put it is, because my training is so hyper-specific, when it comes time to racing, if I were to put everything out on a bell curve, all I have to do is my average to probably get something like that," McEvoy said. "I don't have to go into a race and hope I'm on that 99th percentile of my best ever. "And that's a huge amount of confidence that just allows you to relax before the race and trust the process." McEvoy has a bachelor of science degree, majoring in physics and mathematics. He aspired to be an astronaut and has worked as a fellow at the Centre for Quantum Dynamics at Queensland's Griffith University. And he relishes the technical intricacies of swimming and his event. "Usually I can finish a rep in training and call it down to the microsecond, within 0.02," McEvoy said. "I know where I'm at each point of the race as well. "You look at the Olympic gymnasts, they do the most crazy stuff and they can do it down to the millimetre - and they can do it day in, day out. "It's a level of skill we're hoping to develop here in the water. "And then what comes with that, there's so many angles you can approach and attack the problem and find 0.03 (reduction) here, 0.08 there. "Then you have just got to hope that on the day, all of it aligns." All has aligned for McEvoy since he almost quit swimming after the Tokyo Olympics of 2021. After an extended hiatus, he returned to the pool and vowed to do things his way. Instead of traditional training, he embarked on funky pursuits including rock climbing and calisthenics. And all his time in the water focused on the minutiae of his event in a revolutionary approach that delivered gold in the French capital at McEvoy's fourth Olympics. "It definitely took a chip off my shoulder that I had for a while," he said of his Olympic triumph. "But the manner in which I did it gives me a lot of pride; thinking about where I was, especially in 2022, but the years before that as well. "To go from there, create something and then execute it - that process is more special than the bit of metal at the end. "Getting that out of the way, to then move on to getting married, having my first born on the way - that's even more special. "Digesting the marriage, digesting starting a family, that puts the whole swimming gig into comparison; it humbles the whole job here and makes me realise there's so much more to the world."

Quarter century of indoor beach volleyball in Joondalup
Quarter century of indoor beach volleyball in Joondalup

Perth Now

time3 hours ago

  • Perth Now

Quarter century of indoor beach volleyball in Joondalup

Marking its 25th anniversary this month, the Joondalup Indoor Beach Volleyball Centre remains the top spot for volleyball fans across Perth's northern suburbs. When it opened on Winton Road in 2000, it was surrounded by bushland and kangaroos, with no freeway in sight. Darrel Fox, together with his wife Vicki and son Jayson, is recognised as a driving force behind the creation of WA's indoor beach volleyball industry. Your local paper, whenever you want it. He pioneered the sport by establishing centres in Port Kennedy, Malaga, Canning Vale, Bunbury, Fremantle and Joondalup, as well as founding the Indoor Beach Volleyball Federation. Mr Fox recalled how their opening of the Joondalup Centre coincided with a historic moment for beach volleyball in Australia just three months later. 'We moved into Joondalup the same year beach volleyball made its Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games, where Australians Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst won gold — which was purely coincidental but really helped boost the sport's profile,' Mr Fox said. Though Joondalup is now the only centre they still own and operate as he moves closer to retirement, Mr Fox said that after a quarter of a century Perth's indoor beach volleyball community remained as strong as ever, with current participation evidence of that. Joondalup Indoor Beach Volleyball is celebrating 25 years of operation this month. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian 'We have everyone from schools bringing students in to play to 80-year-olds who join to stay active and social,' Mr Fox said. 'We've even started drop-in volleyball sessions, designed specifically to give shift workers like police, nurses and FIFO employees a flexible way to play team sports without the pressure of long-term commitment, which supports their mental health and social connection.' Given the sport is played indoors with nets and soft sand, Mr Fox said there's never a quiet season, with players of all ages and skill levels drawn to the game year-round. 'The nets are what make the game, helping beginners get started and giving more experienced players even greater control,' he said. 'Schools especially love it because, unlike on large ovals or basketball courts where balls can fly and distract kids, the nets keep the ball in play, helping students stay focused and the game run smoothly.' Owner Darrel Fox said the sport is popular with all age groups. Credit: Riley Churchman / The West Australian An indoor sports centre just down the road in Joondalup, Bouncer, closed its doors earlier this year after 30 years due to what it described as unsustainable rent increases. Mr Fox hopes privately operated indoor sports venues will one day receive support from the government or local councils in recognition of their important contribution to the community. 'People wonder why places like Bouncer closed, why two or three of our volleyball centres shut in the last 18 months. It's not because we want to. It's just really hard to survive with the costs,' he said. 'We're trying to provide for the community but don't get any assistance. Eventually they'll all be gone, like most squash centres have disappeared, and a lot of indoor cricket centres have closed down over the last 20 years here in WA.' Mr Fox believes council-run recreation centres should look to cater for a broader range of activities rather than just traditional sports. 'Overheads are so high now, it's just not viable anymore for a lot of private sports centres,' he said. 'It'd be great if the government or councils provided space at new recreation centres for activities other than basketball courts, as people want more variety these days.' The centre holds a special place in the hearts of many locals after nurturing players who began with no volleyball experience and went on to represent Australia nationally and internationally. Mr Fox hopes it will continue to serve the community for many years to come. 'It would be devastating for people if this place closed. It's more than a community — it's like a close-knit family,' he said. 'The kids who played here 20 years ago are now bringing their own children to play here. 'It's been a great 25 years, and hopefully the sport will still be going strong for another 25, even if I'm not the one running it.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store