Plan to nip crocs quick

PROBLEM crocodiles will be removed within three days and by any means necessary – including lethal means – under a plan by the LNP to make dealing with predators snappier.

Opposition environment spokesman David Crisafulli will today unveil a plan he said would “put people before crocs”, including allowing the department to call in private contractors to immediately deal with dangerous crocodiles.

Size limits would also be removed as a criteria for determining whether a croc was dangerous and in need of removal under the plan, Mr Crisafulli said.

“The LNP is committed to dealing with problem crocs within three days, unlike Labor whose KPI is three months,” he said.

“Under the LNP, any croc of any size will be removed from urban areas.

“When capture isn’t an option, problem crocs will be killed. Whether a croc is sunbaking or swimming near a family, it will be removed.”

“To make sure help is always nearby, the LNP will eliminate the current restrictions and allow professional trained and licensed operators to keep Queenslanders safe.”

The LNP would also greatly expand egg harvesting, Mr Crisafulli said.

The State Government last year allowed crocodile farmers to obtain licences to hunt and gather crocodile eggs in the wild, but imposed a limit of 5000 eggs statewide.

“The quota is 1/20th of what the Northern Territory has, and it makes no changes to Labor’s watered-down croc management zones,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The LNP will back our industry and allow the practical managed harvest of crocodile eggs. In doing so, we will create economic opportunities for these communities and allow Queensland crocodile farms to have Queensland eggs.”

Mr Crisafulli insisted his plans struck the right balance between Labor’s current crocodile management plan and the more extreme calls for crocs to be hunted.