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Locals want to sink bid for new Olympic whitewater site

Locals want to sink bid for new Olympic whitewater site

The Advertiser4 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."

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Aussie swim legend cashing in on fresh feelings

Kyle Chalmers has never felt this way before. "It has been a long time since my body has felt this good, if ever, in my career," the big fish of Australian swimming said. Six months after thinking he'd quit swimming, Chalmers' extraordinary career has hit yet another height. On Thursday night at Australia's selection trials for the looming world titles, he clocked his fastest 100m freestyle on home soil - 47.29 seconds. That's quicker than his 2016 Olympic gold swim in the event (47.58); faster than his silver medal at last year's Olympics (47.48). And he's now setting sights on his personal best of 47.08, achieved twice - including when winning Olympic silver in 2021 in Tokyo. Just how is Chalmers, a fortnight shy of his 27th birthday on June 25, defying an age when many swimmers start treading water? His answer is two-fold: mental and physical. "I'm just extremely happy," Chalmers said. "I have got ... a fiancee who's incredible, I'm preparing to be a dad, living on a farm. "There's so many amazing things going on outside of the pool that it allows me to just come here and have fun." Chalmers has won a mind-boggling 74 international medals, including nine at the Olympics; a dozen at world championships; nine more at Commonwealth Games. His legend is assured. "I'm not here with pressure and expectation. Anything I achieve from this point is just icing on the cake of my career," Chalmers said. Then, he added his second reason: "I'm not injured at the moment either." Chalmers has had heart surgery, three times, for a non-life threatening condition which caused a rapid heartbeat. He's had shoulder operations; lower back problems requiring repeated cortisone injections; ankle surgery after being hurt playing Australian Rules football in September 2023. "That injury was probably the worst of them all," he said. "I fully snapped all the ligaments holding my lower leg bones together, it was a terrible injury." But now? When was the last time he physically felt as good? "Probably 2020," he said, before fact-checking himself. "Actually, that's a lie. I had my lower back problems before that - I had about six cortisones in my back in the lead in to 2020. "Then my shoulders went on me. "Those five years through to Paris last year were very challenging." Even when Chalmers burst to fame as an 18-year-old by winning Olympic gold in 2016, he was hurting. "Even then, I was having problems with growth spurts so I was cramping and growing and in pain," he said. "Now, I'm just doing whatever I want to do and it seems to be working. "I've seen the physio twice this whole year compared to the lead up to Tokyo (Olympics of 2021) when I was seeing a physio every single day, if not twice a day. "It has been an amazing turnaround and I'm stoked my body is feeling this good. "And that's why I want to capitalise on it while I can, because I know it's not going to feel this good forever."

Swim king Chalmers plans to feast while he can
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Swim king Chalmers plans to feast while he can

Kyle Chalmers says swimming faster than at last year's Olympics is icing on the cake - and he's planning to gorge. Chalmers posted the third-quickest men's 100m freestyle time in the world this year at Australia's selection trials for the looming world championships. He also owns the second-fastest time in what is supposed to be a post-Olympic let-down of a year. On a Thursday night in Adelaide when Lani Pallister set an Australian women's 800m freestyle record, Chalmers clocked 47.29 seconds to follow his 47.27 in Norway on April 5. "I'm not here with pressure and expectation; anything I achieve from this point is just icing on the cake of my career," Chalmers said. "I'm stoked my body is feeling this good. "And that's why I want to capitalise on it while I can because I know it's not going to feel this good forever." Chalmers won gold in the event at the 2016 Olympics and silver at the following two Games - at last year's Paris edition he touched in 47.48. "I'm physically, mentally and emotionally in a great place," the 26-year-old said. "When all of those buckets are topped up, I can swim well." Chalmers' latest triumph came after Kaylee McKeown posted the fastest women's 200m backstroke time of the year at the Adelaide trials. Unlike Chalmers, she dismissed the feat as irrelevant ahead of the world titles in Singapore starting July 27. "It doesn't matter what you do here, it depends what you do on the day in an international meet," McKeown said after finishing in two minutes 04.47 seconds, some 1.33 seconds outside her world record. "I could be doing world records here, get to an international meet and come in last, so it really doesn't matter. "I have just got to get my mind right and see what I can do in a few weeks' time." The five-time Olympic gold medallist won all three backstroke events in Adelaide, over 50m, 100m and 200m. She now has a shot at repeating her unprecedented achievement from the 2023 worlds in Japan when she became the first female to win three golds in any stroke over 50m, 100m and 200m at an international meet. Also eyeing success in Singapore is Pallister, who broke Ariarne Titmus' national 800m freestyle record. Pallister's 8.10.84 was inside Titmus' previous benchmark of 8.12.29 set when winning Olympic silver year. "That's an Australian record I have wanted for a long time, since making my first team in 2022," said Pallister. The 23-year-old's record came just two months after joining coach Dean Boxall who also guides Titmus, who remains on a post-Olympic break. But in a shock result in the women's 200m butterfly, Paris Olympian Lizzy Dekkers missed out. Dekkers, who finished fourth in the Olympic final, was third behind Brittany Castelluzzo (2:06.91) and Abbey Connor (2:07.14) who both qualified for the worlds. In the men's 200m individual medley, 25-year-old David Schlict (1:58.10) shaded William Petric by 0.15 seconds - both also made the world championship team. Kyle Chalmers says swimming faster than at last year's Olympics is icing on the cake - and he's planning to gorge. Chalmers posted the third-quickest men's 100m freestyle time in the world this year at Australia's selection trials for the looming world championships. He also owns the second-fastest time in what is supposed to be a post-Olympic let-down of a year. On a Thursday night in Adelaide when Lani Pallister set an Australian women's 800m freestyle record, Chalmers clocked 47.29 seconds to follow his 47.27 in Norway on April 5. "I'm not here with pressure and expectation; anything I achieve from this point is just icing on the cake of my career," Chalmers said. "I'm stoked my body is feeling this good. "And that's why I want to capitalise on it while I can because I know it's not going to feel this good forever." Chalmers won gold in the event at the 2016 Olympics and silver at the following two Games - at last year's Paris edition he touched in 47.48. "I'm physically, mentally and emotionally in a great place," the 26-year-old said. "When all of those buckets are topped up, I can swim well." Chalmers' latest triumph came after Kaylee McKeown posted the fastest women's 200m backstroke time of the year at the Adelaide trials. Unlike Chalmers, she dismissed the feat as irrelevant ahead of the world titles in Singapore starting July 27. "It doesn't matter what you do here, it depends what you do on the day in an international meet," McKeown said after finishing in two minutes 04.47 seconds, some 1.33 seconds outside her world record. "I could be doing world records here, get to an international meet and come in last, so it really doesn't matter. "I have just got to get my mind right and see what I can do in a few weeks' time." The five-time Olympic gold medallist won all three backstroke events in Adelaide, over 50m, 100m and 200m. She now has a shot at repeating her unprecedented achievement from the 2023 worlds in Japan when she became the first female to win three golds in any stroke over 50m, 100m and 200m at an international meet. Also eyeing success in Singapore is Pallister, who broke Ariarne Titmus' national 800m freestyle record. Pallister's 8.10.84 was inside Titmus' previous benchmark of 8.12.29 set when winning Olympic silver year. "That's an Australian record I have wanted for a long time, since making my first team in 2022," said Pallister. The 23-year-old's record came just two months after joining coach Dean Boxall who also guides Titmus, who remains on a post-Olympic break. But in a shock result in the women's 200m butterfly, Paris Olympian Lizzy Dekkers missed out. Dekkers, who finished fourth in the Olympic final, was third behind Brittany Castelluzzo (2:06.91) and Abbey Connor (2:07.14) who both qualified for the worlds. In the men's 200m individual medley, 25-year-old David Schlict (1:58.10) shaded William Petric by 0.15 seconds - both also made the world championship team. Kyle Chalmers says swimming faster than at last year's Olympics is icing on the cake - and he's planning to gorge. Chalmers posted the third-quickest men's 100m freestyle time in the world this year at Australia's selection trials for the looming world championships. He also owns the second-fastest time in what is supposed to be a post-Olympic let-down of a year. On a Thursday night in Adelaide when Lani Pallister set an Australian women's 800m freestyle record, Chalmers clocked 47.29 seconds to follow his 47.27 in Norway on April 5. "I'm not here with pressure and expectation; anything I achieve from this point is just icing on the cake of my career," Chalmers said. "I'm stoked my body is feeling this good. "And that's why I want to capitalise on it while I can because I know it's not going to feel this good forever." Chalmers won gold in the event at the 2016 Olympics and silver at the following two Games - at last year's Paris edition he touched in 47.48. "I'm physically, mentally and emotionally in a great place," the 26-year-old said. "When all of those buckets are topped up, I can swim well." Chalmers' latest triumph came after Kaylee McKeown posted the fastest women's 200m backstroke time of the year at the Adelaide trials. Unlike Chalmers, she dismissed the feat as irrelevant ahead of the world titles in Singapore starting July 27. "It doesn't matter what you do here, it depends what you do on the day in an international meet," McKeown said after finishing in two minutes 04.47 seconds, some 1.33 seconds outside her world record. "I could be doing world records here, get to an international meet and come in last, so it really doesn't matter. "I have just got to get my mind right and see what I can do in a few weeks' time." The five-time Olympic gold medallist won all three backstroke events in Adelaide, over 50m, 100m and 200m. She now has a shot at repeating her unprecedented achievement from the 2023 worlds in Japan when she became the first female to win three golds in any stroke over 50m, 100m and 200m at an international meet. Also eyeing success in Singapore is Pallister, who broke Ariarne Titmus' national 800m freestyle record. Pallister's 8.10.84 was inside Titmus' previous benchmark of 8.12.29 set when winning Olympic silver year. "That's an Australian record I have wanted for a long time, since making my first team in 2022," said Pallister. The 23-year-old's record came just two months after joining coach Dean Boxall who also guides Titmus, who remains on a post-Olympic break. But in a shock result in the women's 200m butterfly, Paris Olympian Lizzy Dekkers missed out. Dekkers, who finished fourth in the Olympic final, was third behind Brittany Castelluzzo (2:06.91) and Abbey Connor (2:07.14) who both qualified for the worlds. In the men's 200m individual medley, 25-year-old David Schlict (1:58.10) shaded William Petric by 0.15 seconds - both also made the world championship team.

Kyle Chalmers won again. But this time it was different
Kyle Chalmers won again. But this time it was different

Sydney Morning Herald

time8 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Kyle Chalmers won again. But this time it was different

At trials in 2019, Chalmers clocked 47.35 seconds. At the 2021 trials, the time to get him on the team was 47.59 seconds. He was slower at trials in 2023, but less than two months later went on to win a maiden individual long-course 100m freestyle gold medal in Fukuoka. He was slower at trials in 2024 but picked up a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Only an astounding world record from Pan Zhanle stood in the way of more Chalmers Olympic glory. Chalmers will head into the upcoming world championships, starting July 27, as a medal contender in the two-lap dash. Pan hasn't come close to replicating his stunning world record of 47.4 seconds, so is an unknown quantity. American Jack Alexy, who finished second to Chalmers in Fukuoka two years ago, clocked a sharp heat time of 46.99 at the USA trials recently. When Chalmers came from nowhere to swim a 47.27 in Norway in April, it was a sign he was really tracking in the right direction. Chalmers is a racer. He rarely gets solid competition in Australia and isn't pushed to his limit. It's why he could be flying under the radar for another world title. After getting engaged last year and with a baby on the way, Chalmers appears happier than ever as he continues his quest to make it to the LA 2028 Olympics. Loading Chalmers knocked off Flynn Southam by 0.4 seconds on Thursday night. 'It's just trusting what I've been doing in training and listening to what my coaches are telling me to do,' Chalmers said on Nine. 'Everything we've been doing is to swim a personal best time. And that was very close tonight.' Meanwhile, the other impressive swim of the night came from Lani Pallister, who took down Ariarne Titmus' Australian record in the 800m freestyle.

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