A consortium led by City of Moreton Bay has been quietly developing plans to transform the Boral quarry at Lawnton into a purpose-built Olympic rowing facility, positioning the site as an alternative to Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River for the Brisbane 2032 Games.
The proposal would redevelop the Boral quarry on Lawnton Pocket Road, south of the North Pine River, into what proponents say could become one of the world’s best rowing venues. The site’s proximity to Brisbane Airport and connection through Petrie train station have been highlighted as major advantages compared to the 600-kilometer journey to Rockhampton.
Rowing advocates and South East Queensland business leaders have prepared high-level technical and financial analysis to present the Boral quarry proposal to authorities as an alternative venue. The plan mirrors the successful transformation of a quarry into Sydney’s Penrith International Regatta Centre, now regarded as one of the world’s premier rowing facilities.
Strategic Location Benefits
The Boral quarry is currently being decommissioned. It sits in the Moreton Bay region near the industrial area of Lawnton, close to Gympie Road and bordered by Petrie and Strathpine. The plan is to repurpose the area for lakeside recreational activities and housing. It is expected to provide easy access for athletes, officials and spectators compared to regional alternatives, with Petrie train station offering direct public transport connections.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
Boral is understood to be supportive of the quarry transformation proposal. Mayor Peter Flannery of Moreton Bay said that the facility would cost around $250 million. The cost to taxpayers would be about $150 million of that, with Boral’ contributing to the cost’s contribution recouped through the development of about 750 homes.
The project will cost half of the planned upgrades along the Fitzroy River.
Uncertainty Around Rockhampton Venue
The 2032 Delivery Plan released in March 2025 confirmed Rockhampton as the site for rowing and canoe sprints. However, with technical field-of-play assessments still under review by international officials, the Lawnton Quarry remains a credible ‘Plan B’ for authorities looking to keep the events in the south-east.
The Boral quarry proposal emerged amid growing concerns about whether the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton can provide the flat, even conditions required for Olympic-level competition. World Rowing and International Canoe Federation standards require still water without current that could favour certain lanes or create an uneven playing field for competitors.
Proponents behind the Lawnton proposal argue that without a suitable Queensland alternative, Olympic rowing could be moved to Penrith in New South Wales, taking a marquee event away from the state. The Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority had previously recommended Penrith host rowing in 2032 due to wind and topographical challenges at Lake Wyaralong and Hinze Dam.
Moreton Bay’s Olympic Role
Regardless of the rowing venue decision, City of Moreton Bay will play a significant role in the 2032 Games through the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre. The 12-court facility at the revitalised Mill Precinct received endorsement from Australian and Queensland authorities in 2024, with procurement commencing for the $205.5 million project.
The indoor sports centre will host Olympic boxing events before becoming a legacy facility supporting basketball, netball, volleyball, gymnastics, futsal, pickleball and wheelchair rugby for the growing Moreton Bay population. With almost 700,000 people living within 30 minutes of the centre, the facility is designed to serve the community for decades beyond the Games.
Published 16-February-2026.
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