Croc seen at creek
Warning signs at popular swim area
ONE of the Cassowary Coast’s most popular swimming holes is home to an apex predator after an estimated 2.5m crocodile was sighted recently.
Department of Environment and Science officers have concluded investigations at the Liverpool Creek swimming hole, on Innisfail Japoon Rd, Japoonvale, after the sighting was reported on Tuesday.
The significantly inland portion of the creek featuring crystal clear water is regarded as one of the region’s more popular and safer swimming holes.
Mena Creek General Store owner Maria Burns has lived in the area for 15 years and had not heard of a crocodile at Liverpool Creek, but said she was not surprised.
“Yeah, normally it’s considered safe. It’s a beautiful spot,” Ms Burns said.
“It’s very popular, you always see a lot of locals there on a hot day and a lot of tourists stop there, too.
“It’s not surprising, we hear about them at Paronella Park, and eventually you know they’re going to make their way around.”
West Australian man Ian Collins was staying at the van park on the bank of the creek.
“I was thinking about going for a swim, it looked beautiful, but I’ll be steering clear of the water now,” Mr Collins said. “I was worried about the kids, I saw kids jumping off the bridge.”
A DES spokesman said wildlife officers investigated the report, but to date no crocodile was detected.
“However, this does not mean a crocodile is not present, and the public must exercise ‘crocwise’ behaviour if in the area. If further reports are received DES will continue its investigations,” the spokesman said.
“Liverpool Creek is in Zone C of the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, which means any crocodile over 2m is targeted for removal.”