Call for action on croc fears
ANDREA FALVO FEARS that saltwater crocodiles are taking over waterways on the Tablelands have been disclosed at a series of heated public meetings.
After recent crocodile attacks and sightings in previous croc-free areas across the region, Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth, Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter this week hosted a number of public consultation meetings to assist with drafting legislation in support of croc culling, indigenous safari shooting and egg harvesting.
The KAP members hosted meetings at Mareeba, Innisfail and Port Douglas.
Pickford Road farmer Andrew Mazgay said he found a 1.3m saltwater crocodile on his driveway a few months ago and has seen several others in his dam in recent weeks.
Mr Mazgay lives near a crocodile farm and said it was very concerning that crocodiles had made their way into the waterways.
“The one we had on the driveway had its tail trimmed so it’s come out the hatchery,” he said.
“There’s a heap of them here and something has got to be done. I’ve got a 1.5m in a dam at the moment and a 1.3m in there too. You can see where it lays on the clay, it’s left an imprint there.”
Mr Mazgay said the presence of crocs had devalued his property and had an impact on neighbouring properties.
“I’m concerned for the other residents in the neighbouring area,” he said. “But hopefully they are only in my waterways and no one else’s.”
Mareeba Shire Councillor Lenore Wyatt applauded the MPs for stepping up to shine a light on the issue.
“This is necessary for our area because these animals are not supposed to be in our waterways,” she said.
“They’re about to ruin our entire chance of the upbringing that we’ve had here in the shire since I was born.
“I’d like to see some action starting straightaway on the issue because they’re not supposed to be here, this is not their natural environment.”
Late last month, Environmental and Heritage Protection (EHP) erected a sign on Pickford Rd near Two Mile Creek, warning residents about crocodiles in the area.
“I don’t care who stepped up to do it (host the meetings), there’s no political alignment for me, it’s just someone has stepped up and we need to support it,” Cr Wyatt said.
Anyone that sees a saltwater crocodile in the area can contact the EHP’s CrocWatch number on 1300 130 372.