KATTER’S Australian Party (KAP) has reaffirmed its positions that the State Government needs to do more to reduce the likelihood of crocodile attacks through better crocodile management.
This call comes on the back of the recent increase in crocodile sightings across Queensland.
Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto said the increase in reported sightings as well as aggressive crocodile behaviour indicated a serious problem with the way the crocodile population was being managed in Queensland.
“There must be a change in the way the State Government views crocodiles – they are no longer a threatened species by any stretch of the criteria, and it’s about time that human life was put before crocodiles,” Mr Dametto said.
“We’ve been told that current crocodile management zones are currently being considered by the Department of Environment and Science but we’re all getting a bit long in the tooth waiting for that to happen.
“In my opinion, unless the Department starts actively removing all crocs from populated areas and places humans frequent for recreational use, we will be no closer to restoring balance in our waterways.”
Mr Dametto said that in Ingham, events that used to be held at the TYTO Wetlands have been forced to move because of the increased threat of a crocodile attack.
“The TYTO Wetlands is a man-made habitat but will soon become a ‘human exclusion zone’ if the Government doesn’t quickly snap back to reality,” he said.
KAP MP for Hill Shane Knuth said the State Government for far too long had stuck their heads in the sand and ignored this issue.
“Doing nothing and blaming the average Queenslander, who simply wants to enjoy fishing and swimming, is not good management and is avoiding dealing proactively with the danger crocodiles pose to human life in North Queensland,” Mr Knuth said.
“Just sticking up a warning sign and telling people to be ‘croc wise’ is a lazy way to properly manage the increasing crocodile population, with many moving into waterways they have never been sighted before.
“In Darwin, they have an annual crocodile cull which maintains a sustainable crocodile population.
“All we are asking for is a zero-tolerance policy on crocodiles in populated waterways and for a more effective management policy to keep numbers in check and protect human lives.”
The KAP is calling on the State Government to expedite the findings of its review into crocodile management zones particularly in the parts of Tropical North Queensland from Townsville north where more than 87 sightings have been reported since 1 December 2023.
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