Croc committee begins looking at state of control measures

Crocodile Report

Shaun Hollis

Journalist

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A parliamentary committee is preparing a report on possible changes to Queensland crocodile laws.

Submissions have closed for tourism operators, other business owners, councils and the general public to have their say on proposed new laws to allow for the culling and possible hunting of Queensland’s crocodiles.

A public briefing, led by Katter’s Australian Party state MP Shane Knuth, who has been pushing for major changes to how the state controls croc numbers, was held in Brisbane on Wednesday morning to discuss the plan before the submissions deadline closed at 10am yesterday (Thursday, April 3).

A further public hearing is now planned for Wednesday, May 21, in Brisbane, before a parliamentary committee hands down a report on Friday, July 25, on whether or not to introduce changes to crocodile laws as outlined in the draft Crocodile Conservation and Control Bill.

One strong opponent of any changes to the current regime - where “problem crocodiles” are removed from waterways and placed in wildlife sanctuaries rather than being culled or hunted - is Daintree River tour operator David White, also known as the “solar whisperer”.

“It’s just the mad hatter party trying to desperately resurrect the ‘safer waterways bill’ which was thrown out the last two times they tried,” Mr White said.

“It’s based on hysteria, not facts nor science.

He said science has proven that culling increases complacency, which then makes the waters more dangerous, no matter how many crocodiles live there.

“Just like we do with other safety issues, driving, stranger danger, swimming, it’s all about education,” Mr White said.

But others argue that, if there are less crocodiles, there is less chance of being taken.

“I was raised in the NT in the 1970s when culling crocodiles was widespread and we swam safely in the ocean without ever hearing about crocs,” Jood Bloggs said.

“Different story now.

“Obviously they are a native species and need to be protected, as culling in the past has left them endangered, but we have the opposite problem now.”

Mr Knuth, who represents voters in regions such as the Atherton Tablelands and parts of Mareeba Council, says there is a “crocodile crisis” in Queensland, and allowing hunting licences would bring economic benefits and help control numbers.

Stated aims of a proposed new Queensland Crocodile Authority, which would be based in Cairns, include to “take measures to minimise injuries and deaths caused by crocodiles” and to “decide the number of crocodiles that may be culled each year”.

Once the committee’s report has been tabled in July, the State Government will have three months to respond to any recommendations made.

Crocodiles live throughout the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York Peninsula, Torres Strait, and along the east coast of Queensland as far south as Gladstone, and occasionally all the way to the Mary River.

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