CROCODILE IN RESORT’S NATURAL LAGOON AN UNWANTED GUEST

Eviction for Palm Cove’s deadly tenant

A SALTWATER crocodile, found inhabiting a natural lagoon of a luxury resort at Palm Cove, is “not acceptable”, says a tourism leader

The Department of Environment and Science has confirmed a 1.5m crocodile has been targeted for removal after it was spotted several times in a small watercourse at Sanctuary Palm Cove resort at the southern end of the beachside suburb.

The reptile, which was be- lieved to have swum into the lagoon via a small creek flowing from the beach, was initially spotted on June 18 and then again on Monday and yesterday.

A DES spokeswoman said the department provided recent crocodile-sighting warning signs and “Crocwise” public safety education material for resort staff to install and share with their guests.

“DES has also arranged for its crocodile removal contractors to target the animal for removal,” she said.

She said under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, Palm Cove was within Zone B – the active removal zone – meaning that any crocodile confirmed to be present was targeted for removal, regardless of its size and behaviour.

“Palm Cove is well within known croc country and people in the area are reminded to always be crocwise,” she said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Pip Close said safe enjoyment of the region’s beaches and marine environment was critical to continued tourism growth.

“We support the removal of crocodiles that pose a threat to humans,” she said. “Visitors want to see crocodiles in the wild, and that is part of the attraction, but having a crocodile this close to a resort is not acceptable.”

Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said confirmation of the croc in Sanctuary’s lagoon showed northern beaches residents were not exaggerating about the reptiles’ numbers in local estuaries.

“Croc catchers have removed multiple crocodiles from Trinity, Kewarra, Clifton and Palm Cove,” he said.

“Any local knows that they’re there and that they’re larger in size and numbers than in the past.”

He called upon the State Government to be more proactive about responding to crocodile sightings, given the reptile in question had been spotted at the resort more than a week ago.

“It’d take a kid or a couple of tourists getting eaten at a local beach to get (the government’s) attention,” he said.

Sanctuary Palm Cove declined to comment yesterday.