Single crocodile management plan provides clarity for Queenslanders

The Palaszczuk Government today (Tuesday) unveiled a unified crocodile management plan which will make it easier for the public to know exactly how crocs will be handled, no matter where they are in croc country.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said the new Queensland Crocodile Management Plan would be discussed at a CrocWise roundtable in Cairns later this month.

Speaking in Cairns, Mr Miles said the new plan delivered a consistent response and a clear message to the public with no relaxation of the current system of proactive removals.

“The purpose of this improved, integrated plan is to provide consistency and a greater understanding of the risks posed by crocodiles and how the Queensland Government responds to and manages them in each of six clearly defined crocodile management zones,” Mr Miles said.

“Extensive consultation with councils, community groups and the public was carried out last year as part of the Government’s $5.8 million crocodile management review and there was clear support for maintaining the existing arrangements while continuing to ensure the conservation of crocodiles in the wild.

“The Palaszczuk Government is well aware there are serious public safety concerns associated with croc country but we want to be guided by science – not emotion.

“That’s unlike the Member for Whitsunday who continues to be out of step with his leader Tim Nicholls by again publicly backing culling crocs.

“While there is nothing but confusion in the LNP, the truth is no government has ever done more on crocodile management than the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” he said.

Mr Miles said the new integrated plan replaced four Crocodile Management Plans – covering the local government areas of Douglas/Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook and Townsville – as well as three Crocodile Urban Management Areas in Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone. 

“The Queensland Crocodile Management Plan provides a spectrum of six zones based on the likelihood and risk of interactions between crocodiles and people and a clear explanation of the management approach taken in each one,” he said.

“The new zones range from minimal intervention in areas away from large human populations through to the exclusion and removal of all crocodiles found in areas where effective and reliable barriers can be established to keep crocs out.

“In many situations the nature of a particular safety issue is determined by a unique combination of the size and behaviour of the crocodiles involved, the nature of the location and what activities are being undertaken there by people.

“The new Queensland Crocodile Management Plan aims to explain clearly for each zone the risks posed by crocodiles, the Government’s management response and relevant Crocwise knowledge and behaviours.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford – who will chair the second quarterly CrocWise roundtable on Thursday, March 30 – said the meeting would also enable further discussion on the Government’s new CrocWise safety messages, which are being reviewed and revised.

“Apart from bringing stakeholders up to speed with the Crocodile Management Plan, we will seek feedback on the CrocWise messages, and share ideas,” Mr Crawford said.

“We’re close to finalising the revamped CrocWise messages, which will include more specific information on how to minimise risks in various situations.

“But the core message remains that it’s always important to be CrocWise in croc country,” he said.

In 2016 there were 80 crocodiles removed in Queensland, compared with 36 in 2015; 62 in 2014; 36 in 2013, and 9 in 2012.

So far in 2017 (to 10 March 2017) 16 crocodiles have been removed.

Since 2012 there have been 141 crocodiles removed from Cairns; 27 from the Cassowary Coast; 16 from Port Douglas; 15 from Townsville; 9 from Hinchinbrook, 3 from Mareeba, 1 from Mackay, 1 from Rockhampton and 2 from the Mary River on the Fraser Coast.

The new Queensland Crocodile Management Plan can be viewed on the EHP website at: http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/livingwith/crocodiles/crocodile_plan.html#queensland_crocodile_management_plan

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