Crocodile removal contract extended for Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation

The Palaszczuk Government has extended the crocodile management contract of the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation in Cairns until June 2017.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said the extension provided ongoing crocodile management for the people of Cairns.

“The Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation will continue to be responsible for the proactive removal of all crocodiles from within the proactive removal area set out in the Cairns Crocodile Management Plan,” Dr Miles said.

“The primary focus remains balancing public safety with the need to conserve the species in the wild.”

The Queensland Government has committed $5.8 million over the next three years for crocodile management, including $2.7 million for a crocodile survey and monitoring program.

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said trial surveys had already taken place in Cairns using new technology developed especially for the project, which is due to begin in November.

“This will be the first time a crocodile survey has been conducted in Queensland using modern tools like geolocation technology and electronic recording on tablet devices,” Mr Crawford said.

“The results of this population survey will be used to determine crocodile management policies well into the future.

“This Government has also conducted targeted consultation with key organisations, including Cairns Regional Council and Surf Life Saving Queensland, as well as an online survey to gauge public opinion on current crocodile management policies,” he said.

So far in 2016, 41 crocodiles have been removed from the Cairns Regional Council area.

ENDS

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