As Brisbane Festival prepares for its final week, artistic director Ebony Bott says the festival can help build momentum ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sept 18 (Reuters) - Prominent Australian rowing figures have criticised the approval of Rockhampton's crocodile-inhabited Fitzroy River as the venue for the sport at the Brisbane Olympics, arguing the course will require extensive investment and leave little lasting legacy.

Aussies have made fun of a decision to host a sporting event on a croc-infested river for the Brisbane Olympics. Rockhampton's Fitzroy River has been endorsed for rowing and canoe sprint events at the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games after passing an independent technical assessment.

Prominent Australian rowing figures have criticized the approval of Rockhampton’s crocodile-inhabited Fitzroy River as the venue for the sport at the Brisbane Olympics, arguing the course would require extensive investment and leave little lasting legacy.

Brisbane faces a shortfall of more than 11,000 hotel rooms for the 2032 Olympics, with an estimated need for 81,000 rooms total.