Crocodile plans revealed

Mr Cripps praised Environment Minister Andrew Powell for making significant improvements to the crocodile management plans covering the Hinchinbrook electorate, which placed an emphasis on public safety in popular fishing and recreation areas.

"I have been fighting for changes to our crocodile management plans for many years. Our very reasonable safety concerns in North Queensland were ignored by the former Labor government, but the LNP has listened and delivered a more responsive framework," Mr Cripps said.

"I am particularly pleased that these crocodile management plans have been developed in consultation with local councils, because a one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate and that a contribution is being made to help maintain local swimming enclosures."

Mr Cripps said the new crocodile management plans were modelled on effective Northern Territory legislation that created a three-tiered, risk-based framework for responses.

"In the Hinchinbrook electorate, the new management plans will focus on removing all crocodiles over two metres - no questions asked - around our popular boat ramps and swimming enclosures and removing crocodiles less than two metres that are causing concern" Mr Cripps said.

"The real benefit will be the removal of the red tape and bureaucracy that was previously involved in making a decision about whether or not to remove a crocodile that was reported by the community. The new plans are more responsive to community concerns," he said.

Zone 2 locations in the Hinchinbrook electorate include:

- Cassowary Coast region: Etty Bay, Kurrimine Beach, North Mission and South Mission swimming enclosures and nominated recreational swimming areas across the region.

- Hinchinbrook Shire: Forrest Beach, Lucinda Beach, Taylors Beach swimming enclosures and boat ramps at Taylors Beach, Forrest Beach, Cassady Beach and Mona Landing.

- Townsville City: Balgal Beach swimming enclosure and Balgal Beach boat ramp.