Locals want to sink bid for new Olympic whitewater site
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."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Mind over matter for rejuvenated Australian swim star
When Sam Short's body failed him at the Olympics, so did his mind. The Australian swimmer, cruelled by injury and illness, felt like a failure at last year's Paris Games. Short was a gold medal favourite in the 400m freestyle but finished fourth, missing the podium by 0.14 seconds - a finger nail, as he puts it. The Queenslander was also a medal fancy in the 800m and 1500m freestyles, but didn't make the finals of those events in Paris. "In the eyes of myself and my team around me, we can all admit it was a 'failure'," Short posted, in part, on Instagram on return to Australia. But there were reasons - unexplained during the Olympics, as a dejected Short shunned any public comment. He was ill. Suffering gastro at Australia's trials some five weeks before the Olympics, Short lost five kilograms in weight. Instead of recuperating, he continued to go hard at training, to the detriment of his "cooked" immune system. He was also injured. In January of the Olympic year, Short suffered a torn muscle in a shoulder while also managing tendonitis. Every stroke - he'd do about 1000 of them over eight kilometres every training session - hurt. Post-Olympics, Short knew his body would eventually heal. "I was rehabbing my shoulder, two months out of the water," he said in Adelaide at Australia's selection trials for the looming world championships. "Seven months ago, I was 10 kilos heavier than I am now." But healing his mind was another matter. "It took me a while," Short said. "I did a lot of work with sports psychology just trying to make my mind stronger." Short had previously rejected psychological help, thinking it was a sign of weakness. Now, it's a strength. "Literally, come January 1st (this year), I was: next chapter, world championships," Short said. "That's what I'm thinking about. "Just trying to enjoy racing, race fast, and try and go as well as I know I can." Short's mentality flipped. "I came fourth at the Olympics (in the 400m freestyle)," he said. "In our lives, it's probably a little bit of a failure. "But I've got tons of mates and ... they'd literally probably chop their legs off just to get the opportunity to come fourth at the Olympics, so that put it in perspective." At the Adelaide selection trials for the worlds in Singapore from July 27, Short won the 400m freestyle on Monday night. He finished second on Tuesday night in the 200m freestyle, an event he's using to build early speed for his longer distance races. On Wednesday night, Short will race the 800m freestyle, before contesting the 1500m free on Friday night.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Mind over matter for rejuvenated Australian swim star
When Sam Short's body failed him at the Olympics, so did his mind. The Australian swimmer, cruelled by injury and illness, felt like a failure at last year's Paris Games. Short was a gold medal favourite in the 400m freestyle but finished fourth, missing the podium by 0.14 seconds - a finger nail, as he puts it. The Queenslander was also a medal fancy in the 800m and 1500m freestyles, but didn't make the finals of those events in Paris. "In the eyes of myself and my team around me, we can all admit it was a 'failure'," Short posted, in part, on Instagram on return to Australia. But there were reasons - unexplained during the Olympics, as a dejected Short shunned any public comment. He was ill. Suffering gastro at Australia's trials some five weeks before the Olympics, Short lost five kilograms in weight. Instead of recuperating, he continued to go hard at training, to the detriment of his "cooked" immune system. He was also injured. In January of the Olympic year, Short suffered a torn muscle in a shoulder while also managing tendonitis. Every stroke - he'd do about 1000 of them over eight kilometres every training session - hurt. Post-Olympics, Short knew his body would eventually heal. "I was rehabbing my shoulder, two months out of the water," he said in Adelaide at Australia's selection trials for the looming world championships. "Seven months ago, I was 10 kilos heavier than I am now." But healing his mind was another matter. "It took me a while," Short said. "I did a lot of work with sports psychology just trying to make my mind stronger." Short had previously rejected psychological help, thinking it was a sign of weakness. Now, it's a strength. "Literally, come January 1st (this year), I was: next chapter, world championships," Short said. "That's what I'm thinking about. "Just trying to enjoy racing, race fast, and try and go as well as I know I can." Short's mentality flipped. "I came fourth at the Olympics (in the 400m freestyle)," he said. "In our lives, it's probably a little bit of a failure. "But I've got tons of mates and ... they'd literally probably chop their legs off just to get the opportunity to come fourth at the Olympics, so that put it in perspective." At the Adelaide selection trials for the worlds in Singapore from July 27, Short won the 400m freestyle on Monday night. He finished second on Tuesday night in the 200m freestyle, an event he's using to build early speed for his longer distance races. On Wednesday night, Short will race the 800m freestyle, before contesting the 1500m free on Friday night.
The Age
8 hours ago
- The Age
If you've never heard of Sienna Toohey, now is the time to take note
Toohey is faster at the same age. Yes, times have changed, but there is something special about this youngster. Australian swimming was buzzing with excitement on night two of the national trials when Toohey won her race in a personal best time of 1:06.55, just clear of Ella Ramsay (1:06.86). The time would have won a gold medal at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. By the time Toohey was being interviewed poolside, she was almost inconsolable. 'I'm just so excited because I worked so hard,' Toohey said as tears rolled down her cheeks. 'I was so nervous and so happy I have done it. 'It's been very hard living in Canberra for the last six weeks.' Toohey waved to family in the stands before greeting reporters. She'd spoken to some a year earlier when, as a 15-year-old, she'd narrowly missed making a maiden Olympics team. 'It was definitely something that I really wanted to be a part of,' Toohey said. 'It was definitely [tears of] relief.' How did she get into swimming? When did the dream really kick in? 'I started swimming because I wanted to play water polo, but my parents told me that I couldn't do water polo if I didn't swim,' Toohey said. 'I started swimming just to do it and then my brother started to get really good at it. I got to the point where I had to choose swimming or water polo. Obviously, I chose swimming. It was the right choice.' Next month, the shy schoolgirl will travel to Singapore and represent her country at the world championships. Not a bad story to take back to school. 'They're very curious about swimming but they don't really understand most parts of it. They know that I'm good though,' Toohey said. 'I've told them my goals and they're very supportive. I'm sure I'll go back and I'll have numerous messages from them all.' Astute swimming judges have been whispering Toohey's name for some time. Last year, she broke Jones' 15-year-old age record that had stood since 2000. Earlier this year, Toohey lowered Jones' national record among 16-year-old breaststrokers in the two-lap event. Jones' best time as a 16-year-old was 1:07.31. Toohey is nearly a second quicker at the same age, but is now gunning for Jones' overall Australian record of 1:05.09. Toohey, who is now the eighth-fastest Australian in the event, was lucky enough to meet her hero during last year's Olympic trials. 'After nationals [this year] she sent me a message the night after I broke her record,' Toohey said. 'It honestly made my week. Getting something personalised from her … and her telling me to keep going and that things can happen when you're young, was definitely inspiring. 'I watched some of her races when I was first chasing down her records.' When the Brisbane Olympics arrive, Toohey is likely to be in the prime of her career, still at a tender age of 23. Toohey admits she has thought about the prospect of competing at a home Olympics. She is living proof that the Olympic dream burns bright in the nation's young athletes. 'When the Brisbane Olympics first got announced, that was the Olympic team I was hoping to get on. Now I've made this [world championship] one, we'll have to push the timeline up a bit more,' Toohey said. 'It'd definitely mean a lot being in my home country, plus some family members could come. Loading 'I just want to reach the top and hopefully get a medal at the Olympics one day.' Once Toohey had finished her interviews, she was greeted by some of her teenage friends. 'I now know someone who's going to be famous,' one was overheard saying.
