Fascinating crocodile plan

WE can zipline over a crocodile and soon we’ll be able to swim and have a beer with one too. That’s if a new plan gets official approval.

Pub owner Graham Johnston is no stranger to controversy. His Tradies Bar with topless staff has been a hit with carpenters, plumbers and the like, but not with feminists.

His latest venture, to be dubbed Croc HQ, will feature enclosures where the predators will be separated from swimmers by safety glass.

Safety will be paramount. He’ll need security people on hand to ensure over boistorous patrons don’t over step the mark.

His proposal faces a myriad of red tape but Mr Johnston is never one from stepping back from a challenge.

At the moment he’s laying as low as his new guests as he works through the machinations in Brisbane and at city hall.

It’s innovative and entrepreneurial, something to make Cairns stand out.

The CaPTA Group also plans Crocarena at Port Douglas where people can be fully submerged in a glass cage as well as swim through a glass passage.

Crocodiles are an intrinsic part of our wildlife.

They fascinate, as well as scare us, and attract people from the world over to see them in the wild and in captivity.

Some will be totally against Mr Johnston’s proposal, which is solely to make money by drawing customers to his pub.

Often you have to be bold and daring to beat the competition.

At least Mr Johnston is having a go.

His biggest challenge is convincing the decision makers. Nick Dalton Deputy editor