Published Tuesday, 24 April, 2007 at 05:51 PM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
ENVIRONMENT MINISTER REJECTS CROC SURVEY CLAIMS
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr has rejected claims by Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter that key North Queensland rivers are being left out of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service crocodile survey in populated east coast areas of the state.
Ms Nelson-Carr said she fully supported the QPWS in its strategic and scientific approach to surveying crocodile populations as part of the State Government’s review of the Crocodile Conservation Plan.
“This survey is a very important part of the State Government’s review of the Crocodile Conservation Plan and to suggest it is being conducted in a manner that is anything less than professional is offensive and shows great ignorance on Mr Katter’s part,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Ross River was not included for the simple reason that it was recently surveyed as part of QPWS operations following crocodile sightings off the Strand, along with Ross Creek and Three Mile Creek.
“Waterways immediately to the north and south of Townsville – the Bohle River and Crocodile Creek - are included in the survey.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the QPWS had today re-evaluated its survey plan and decided there was an opportunity to include the Tully River, bringing the total number of rivers included in the survey to 25.
“The QPWS chose the rivers in the survey because it has a good database on those systems from which it can draw comparative information to determine changes in the wild population of estuarine crocodiles.
“They also represent a good sample of waterways between Cooktown and Gladstone.
“The results of this survey, which will be finalised mid-year, will inform the government in its review of the Crocodile Conservation Plan,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
The draft Statewide Crocodile Conservation Plan is currently out for public comment.
ENDS
Media contact: Lisa Gilby 3336 8002
Ms Nelson-Carr said she fully supported the QPWS in its strategic and scientific approach to surveying crocodile populations as part of the State Government’s review of the Crocodile Conservation Plan.
“This survey is a very important part of the State Government’s review of the Crocodile Conservation Plan and to suggest it is being conducted in a manner that is anything less than professional is offensive and shows great ignorance on Mr Katter’s part,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“The Ross River was not included for the simple reason that it was recently surveyed as part of QPWS operations following crocodile sightings off the Strand, along with Ross Creek and Three Mile Creek.
“Waterways immediately to the north and south of Townsville – the Bohle River and Crocodile Creek - are included in the survey.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the QPWS had today re-evaluated its survey plan and decided there was an opportunity to include the Tully River, bringing the total number of rivers included in the survey to 25.
“The QPWS chose the rivers in the survey because it has a good database on those systems from which it can draw comparative information to determine changes in the wild population of estuarine crocodiles.
“They also represent a good sample of waterways between Cooktown and Gladstone.
“The results of this survey, which will be finalised mid-year, will inform the government in its review of the Crocodile Conservation Plan,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
The draft Statewide Crocodile Conservation Plan is currently out for public comment.
ENDS
Media contact: Lisa Gilby 3336 8002