LNP to grant rangers go-ahead to kill crocs
THE LNP has taken the Palaszczuk government to task for not doing enough to protect Far North Queenslanders from crocodiles.
It comes as the state’s Environmental Minister Steven Miles introduces tough new penalties for people who interfere with crocodile traps.
A trap set near the Ross and Locke swimming area on the Mulgrave River, near Gordonvale, was badly damaged by vandals, according to the minister.
He said the trap was originally put in place to capture a 2m problem reptile that was first spotted in April.
“Instead, its removal was not possible and last Thursday the crocodile had to be euthanised by wildlife officers,” he said.
“Unfortunately, as was expected, the crocodile sank immediately and the carcass was unable to be retrieved from the bottom of the river – meaning it could surface in the Mulgrave River at any time over the coming days.”
Anyone found interfering with a crocodile trap will receive a $500 on-the-spot fine or be fined up to $14,000 for more serious or repeat offences.
Mr Miles yesterday launched a custom-built crocodile survey boat, which will be based in Cairns. It will assist with the three-year survey of crocodile populations in Queensland waters.
Christian Rowan, the opposition’s environment spokesman, said yesterday Labor was not doing enough to protect people from crocodiles.
“What we’ve seen by this Labor government over the last three years is failure on crocodile management,” Mr Rowan said.
“The do-nothing Labor government has failed North Queenslanders in relation to crocodile management.”
He said the LNP’s crocodile management policy was more “proactive” and would allow rangers to reserve the right to take lethal force action towards any crocodiles that posed a significant safety risk.