What a croc: Dametto slams Queensland Govt croc report

1 August 2021

Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto

Queensland Government released Queensland Estuarine Crocodile Monitoring Program 2016-2019 key findings report. The report confirmed that Queensland’s crocodile population is growing at a rate of 2.2 per cent annually.

Katter’s Australian Party has long called for improved crocodile management for the safety of North Queenslanders and has twice introduced their Safer Waterways Bill in Parliament.

According to the Department of Environment and Science, there were 721 crocodile sightings reported in 2019. [1]

KAP Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto said we have waited two years for this report to be published and all we get is an eight-page glossy document.

“The State Government spent 5.8 million dollars over three years on the crocodile monitoring program, it’s not good enough, North Queenslanders deserve more,” he said. [2]

“The public has been provided with a lack of information and minimal indication of strategies to better manage Queensland’s growing crocodile population.

“The report states this was the most comprehensive crocodile population monitoring program to be carried out in Queensland for more than a decade and what we receive is more like a brochure.

“The success of our tourism industry is intricately linked with our tropical islands, beaches, lifestyle and marine activities. Tourists and those seeking to move to North Queensland want to feel safe.

“Isn’t it terrific that the survey showed no evidence of the distribution of crocodiles expanding southward of its range. I guess the problem will remain as a North Queensland issue then, keeping the South East happy.

The report confirms that the Department of Environment and Science will take a proactive approach by identifying key areas for future management efforts and critical research.

“While this continues to be a North Queensland problem the State Labor Government will continue to treat this issue with content. They’d rather tell people in the South East corner that crocodiles are still threatened species so there continues to be a commercial value for their friends, the Irwins at Australia Zoo.

“When the truth of the matter is North Queenslanders can’t even walk their pets at the beach off lead, without fear of a crocodile attack.”

[1] https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/crocodiles/sightings/crocodiles-reported/2019-archive

[2] https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/85030