The discovery of a beheaded crocodile near Innisfail is amping up the pressure on Government to activate a controlled crocodile cull before the public takes dangerous action.
Authorities are investigating the dead croc found in a creek near Eubenangee Swamp, which Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth said revealed people were taking steps to deal with crocodiles themselves because of Government inaction.
“People are saying this was bound to happen and it will continue if the Government doesn’t do something,” he said.
Mr Knuth said attacks were on the rise, with reports of big, aggressive and territorial crocs turning up in places they’d never been before.
“Last month, a cane farmer on the Atherton Tablelands said saltwater crocs were taking over his property, 65 kilometres inland, and Gulf graziers are now calling for control plans to handle a growing number of crocs and protect their livestock.”
Meanwhile, reports are mounting of declines in water sport and surf lifesaving membership and claims that emergency personnel are reconsidering rescues in croc-infested areas.
Following a well-supported consultation tour around north Queensland, the KAP will table legislation next month to allow for a controlled cull in populated areas across Queensland.
Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter said human safety and quality of life needed to be prioritised over crocodiles.
“Enough is enough; how many more people have to be killed, attacked or too petrified to enter waterways before the Government steps up and finally regains control.”
Under the legislation, Mr Knuth said crocodiles could be culled or relocated to a crocodile farm, and safari hunting and egg collection initiatives could be set up to create jobs for Indigenous rangers.
Robbie Katter stressed it wasn’t a matter of eliminating crocodiles, but controlling the numbers.
“We’re not proposing to wipe out all the crocs, we want to bring numbers down and prevent people from being killed.”
