CROCODILE MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP SIGNED IN CAIRNS

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Cairns City Council and Surf Life Saving Queensland have signed an action plan to jointly manage estuarine crocodiles in Cairns.

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlined obligations and activities to maximise public safety in Cairns, while protecting the vulnerable crocodile species.

“Measures arising from this important three-way partnership range from revising the Cairns planning code to address development near crocodile habitat and removing crocs that may pose a threat to people or property,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“QPWS croc management experts are sharing their skills to ensure realistic response measures can be applied quickly and efficiently. They have worked with the Council and SLSQ on a broad strategy to manage beach closures, and to adopt a risk management approach to reducing closure times where possible to minimise the impact on tourism.

“A Crocodile Management Working Group drawn from the three major stakeholders and other local interest groups will reinforce the tactic of developing policy to promote public safety while conserving estuarine crocodiles, and QPWS rangers will train Council and SLSQ staff in croc biology, identification and behaviour,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

Cairns Mayor Cr Kevin Byrne said he welcomed new aspects of the crocodile MOU that would enable more immediate action on animals spotted in waterways in urban areas or off public beaches.

“This new MOU provides the framework to remove or drive crocodiles away from public areas in a much more timely manner which not only protects the public but provides some certainty for businesses at the Northern Beaches who were, in the past, adversely affected by long delays in re-opening a beach after a crocodile had been sighted,” Cr Byrne said.

“The safety of the public should always be paramount and we also need to maintain access to our beaches, particularly in the busy tourist season.”

SLSQ Chief Executive Officer Tony Scanlon also welcomed his organisation’s involvement in the partnership.

“Establishment of the Working Group is a great step towards developing policies that will keep beach goers safe through appropriate signage and monitoring activities,” Mr Scanlon said.

“The MOU will change the way crocodiles are reported and managed off local beaches, with staff from SLSQ empowered to enforce beach closures and to drive crocodiles away from beaches where possible.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said staff from SLSQ would notify QPWS and Cairns City Council of any sightings and steps would be taken should the animals not move away from a beach.

“As now occurs, appropriate warning signs will be displayed by SLSQ, QPWS or the Council and crocodiles will be monitored by SLSQ with the intent of QPWS capturing and removing them if required.

“We encourage the public to report sightings to the lifeguard on duty, QPWS or Council directly if they see a croc in the Cairns city area. These groups will investigate and if necessary track it and study its behaviour to determine whether a threat may be posed”

To report a crocodile sighting in the Cairns City Council area contact the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on 4046 6600.

Media contacts: Harry Landman (Ms Nelson-Carr’s office) 0407 637 510 or Robin Holmes (Cairns City Council) 0437 332 782.