Fears of fatality as croc reports soar

NORTH Queensland community leaders fear a fatal crocodile attack is imminent after statistics revealed more than double the amount of sightings have been reported around Townsville compared with the same period in 2016.

Between January 1 and September 7, 58 crocodile sightings were reported to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

Only 25 were reported for the same period in 2016, with 61 sightings lodged in total for last year.

Wildlife officers have removed two estuarine crocodiles and two freshwater crocs this year.

The largest was a 2.1m saltwater croc taken from Willows Golf Course on January 4.

EHP is undertaking a three- year population monitoring survey.

Mount Isa MP Robbie Katter’s Safer Waterways Bill is expected to be voted on in State Parliament in November.

Mr Katter warned “a lot of people” could be killed in the next three years.

“Is it going to take someone to be killed to do something? That’s a really good question,” he said.

“If someone is dead, they’re dead – wouldn’t you have thought that they ( State Government) would wait until someone has been killed but their response has been let’s put more effort in.”

Mr Katter said the State Government’s attitude towards crocodile management demonstrated a North Queensland versus south Queensland issue.

“We’re here saying, ‘ Hey we can’t swim on beaches’, our surf lifesaving clubs and rowing and skiing clubs are all just about closed down because no one can swim in the waters,” he said.

“You would have to say there’s a good chance someone will be killed.

“No one seems to give a stuff about our public safety.”

In May, the State Opposition announced a policy that would enable qualified rangers to shoot problem crocodiles on the spot.

The proposal also included the harvesting of eggs in areas where populations were rising to create a viable commercial industry for crocodile meat and skins.

Hinchinbrook MP Andrew Cripps said the big step forward was the development of the egg harvesting industry.

“The problem that I’ve been talking about is the escalation in the number of crocodiles because the population is growing,” he said.

“They’re being pushed into areas that we haven’t seen before. It ( population) increases the risk of attacks.

“I’m not in the position to say someone is going to be hurt or killed but you are concerned about those things happening.”

Townsville Deputy Mayor Les Walker said appropriate action was required to make the community safe.

“It could be trapping or culling,” he said. “We have to take the appropriate action depending on the threat.

“I don’t want people taking guns out and about willy nilly.

“I’d hate to think we’re going to lose children on our river banks.”

An EHP spokesman said an increase in crocodile sightings did not mean there was increase in numbers.

“Crocodile sightings can increase when a number of sightings of the one animal occur and, more generally, when urban development encroaches more into crocodile habitat,” she said.