Minister takes action on Barron River crocodiles

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, Andrew Powell , has today taken action to address community concerns about crocodiles in the Barron River, near Cairns.

“I have instructed my department to investigate these claims immediately,” Mr Powell said.

“As of tonight we will have boats out on the river, surveying crocodile numbers in the area.”

“If any crocodiles are found to present a threat to community safety, or are within a particularly well-populated area, rangers have been instructed to set traps with the intent to move the animal as soon as possible.”

Minister Powell said the proactive measures would be in place to protect the people of Cairns while the government finalised its crocodile management strategy which is will be completed by December this year.

“As part of our Six Month Action Plan we are developing a crocodile management plan consistent with the Northern Territory's successful three-tiered approach,” Mr Powell said.

The plan will set out exclusion zones where we will aim to prevent crocodiles from entering an area so that the level of risk is low enough to recommend safe swimming and water activities.

The second tier will be zero tolerance zones where we can significantly reduce the risk of attack by removing any crocodiles that enter the area for example, near boat ramps and marinas.

Finally we will establish areas where only problem crocodiles are removed this would be well-established crocodile habitat where an animal would be removed if it exhibits unprovoked aggressive behaviour towards humans.

“While no natural waterway is 100% risk free, we can implement a process which involves less bureaucratic green tape in decisions about the need to protect the community.

“This government does want to work with the people of Cairns and we ask that tourists and locals continue to stay 'croc wise' in known crocodile areas.”

ENDS-

NOTE: Members of the community are encouraged to:

• Obey croc warning signs
• Never swim in water where crocs may live
• Never stand in the waters edge or on an overhanging log, stand a few meters back for fishing or cast netting
• Never provoke, harass or feed crocs
• Never leave food scraps, fish frames or bait on the waters edge, near a camp site or boat ramp as this may attract crocs to the area
• Always supervise children.

Further information on crocodiles and being Crocwise is available at www.ehp.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Brooke Hargraves 0458 689 043